This week’s top stories: iPhone 7, Apple invests in Uber competitor, state of jailbreaking, new apps, & more
In this week’s top stories: iPhone 7 leaks, Apple invests in a Chinese Uber competitor, the UK shows off works to bring driving licenses to Apple Wallet, and we take a look at the state of jailbreaking for May, new apps, & much more. Head below for the usual handy roundup of links to all this week’s most shared stories and video.
Filed under: AAPL Company, Apps, iOS Devices Tagged: Apple Music, Didi Chuxing, Gboard, iPhone 7, jailbreaking, top stories
Apple acknowledges reports of personal music files being deleted, iTunes update coming next week to hopefully fix
Apple has officially acknowledged community reports of inadvertently deleted music, with users left with missing tracks in their libraries that may never be recovered, in a statement to iMore. The company says that it is pushing an iTunes update next week with ‘safeguards’ to pre-emptively prevent data loss.
However, Apple says it cannot reproduce the issue in internal testing so the forthcoming iTunes update is not guaranteed to work. It also means that the exact cause of the bug is still unknown, although it appears to be a problem with the iTunes desktop app misbehaving rather than the Apple Music streaming service.
Filed under: AAPL Company, Apple Music, iOS, iOS Devices Tagged: Apple Music, deleted music, iOS, personal libraries
Design Hunt for iOS gains 3D Touch support + general improvements
Daily design curation and inspiration app Design Hunt has seen a 2.1 version upgrade today focusing on improving overall performance and introducing 3D Touch features to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Today’s update also introduces Design Hunt on the web so users can continue their discoveries on the desktop. Curating content from multiple sources like Designer News, Dribbble, Pinterest, and Fast Co, Design Hunt helps surface some of the best design content and ideas everyday.
Filed under: Apps, iOS Tagged: design, Design Hunt
UK shows off prototype of digital iPhone driving license using Apple’s Wallet app
It looks like drivers in the UK could soon be able to store their driver’s license within Apple’s Wallet app on iPhones as CEO of the country’s Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) today shared the image of the work in progress feature above.
Alpine ships its giant 9-inch CarPlay display for Jeeps as Kia details its rollout plans
Alpine unveiled its 9-inch aftermarket display with CarPlay support back in January, and starting this week the giant screen is now available for purchase. Alpine’s i109-WRA Restyle dash system isn’t cheap, however, as the 9-inch CarPlay screen retails for $2500 and only works with 2011 and newer Jeep Wranglers. Kia is also making news in the CarPlay space this week as the auto company detailed upcoming availability on three of its 2016 and 2017 model cars.
9to5Toys Lunch Break: 13-inch MacBook $850, Motorola Modem + Router (refurb) $75, 1st Gen Hue Bundle $110, more
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TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/8GB/128GB (newest model): $850 shipped (Reg. $999)
Apple’s just-released 13-inch 256GB MacBook Air w/ 8GB of RAM gets its first price drop: $1,000 shipped (Reg. $1,199)
Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (newest model) 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,040 (Reg. $1,299)
Motorola SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem & 802.11AC Wi-Fi Router refurb: $75 shipped (Reg. $220)
Green Deals: Philips Hue LED Starter Kit (1st Gen.) $110 shipped (Orig. $200), more
Philips Friends of Hue Bloom Wireless LED Bulb $45 shipped (Reg. $60)
Get Nomad’s premium Italian leather Apple Watch Strap for just $100 shipped (Reg. $150)
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)
Call of Duty iOS titles matching all-time lows: Strike Team $2 (Reg. $7), Zombies $1 (Reg. $5), more
Grand Theft Auto iOS Sale: Liberty City Stories $3, China Town Wars $3, San Andreas $4, more
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
QNAP 4-Bay NAS w/ HDMI, AirPlay & PLEX: $349 shipped (Orig. $480)
- Games/Apps: Super Mario 3D Land (Prime only) $24, iOS freebies, more
- Daily Deals: Onkyo Receiver with AirPlay and Bluetooth $270, more
- Sprint’s 40GB/mo Better Choice XXL plan now includes 12 free months of Amazon Prime
- GOOLOO Dual-Port Mini USB Car Charger $3 Prime shipped (Reg. $7), more
- Take control of your cord situation: 8-pack of 3-slot cable drops for $4 Prime shipped (Reg. $8)
- Samsung Galaxy S7 32GB (unlocked) for $530 shipped (Reg. $695)
- Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off (Deluxe Version) MP3 album for free (Reg. up to $11)
- Sam’s Club One-Year Plus Membership w/ $25 Gift Card and Free Food: $45 (~ $245 value)
- GreenWorks G-MAX 40V Cordless Outdoor Tools: 14-inch Trimmer $170, Blower $86, more
MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:
iTunes $0.99 HD Rentals (Reg. $5): Sicario, Prometheus, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, much more
Cut the cord for good w/ the AmazonBasics Ultra Thin 50-mile HD Antenna for $32 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)
- iFixit 64-Bit Screwdriver Kit lets you open phones, tablets and more: $35 (Orig. $50)
- iPad Pro (9.7-inch) Case with Auto Wake/Sleep in two colors: $8 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)
- JBL Charge Bluetooth Speaker (recertified w/ two-yr. warranty): $50 shipped (Orig. $150)
- AUKEY Bluetooth Car Kit with 3-Port USB Car Charger $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $28), more
- SanDisk SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drive: $105 shipped (Reg. $120+)
- Nintendo announces official 2DS handheld price drop, more
- Google Play $1 MP3 albums: Goo Goo Dolls, Pantera, more (Reg. up to $10 ea)
- Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Digital Scale in Black or White (Refurb) $55 shipped (Orig. $130)
- Rotor Drone Magazine 1-yr. subscription for $12 shipped (Reg. $20)
- Save big on your next delivery of Lärabars, get a 16-pack for as little as $12 Prime shipped
- iPhone 5 16GB refurb with OtterBox Defender case: $100 shipped
- OtterBox iPhone 6/6s Plus Symmetry Series Phone Case (Various Colors): $12 shipped
- LifeProof iPhone 6/s FRĒ waterproof case (multiple colors): $40 Prime shipped (Orig. $80)
- RAVPower 3000mAh 2A MFi Battery Case for $24 Prime shipped (Reg. $36)
- Dell 27-inch 1080p Curved Monitor w/ two HDMI inputs: $220 shipped (Reg. $300+)
- A/V Receivers w/ 4K + AirPlay: Harman Kardon 7.1-Ch. $269 (Orig. $800), more
- Get a head start at work: learn-to-code learning bundle $59 (Orig. $924), more
- New LG Nexus 5, unlocked with 32GB storage down to $149 shipped (Reg. ~$280)
- New Google Express customers can grab a $40 credit for $15 with email delivery (42% savings)
- Keep your pet in the back seat w/ a 2-pack of Etekcity’s Dog Car Seat Belt for $6 (Reg. $12)
- This Samsung Curved Blu-Ray Player adds smart functionality to nearly any TV: $40 (Reg. $60)
- JBL Control One All-Weather Indoor/Outdoor Speakers: $60 shipped (Orig. $240)
- Laundry detergent (Prime shipped): 81-pack Tide PODS $14 (Reg. $20), more
- Spring cleaning: Essential products for an organized and clutter-free bathroom
- Taste the Rainbow! 30-Pack Skittles/Starburst Box for $18 Prime shipped (Reg. up to $30)
- Anker 3-ft reinforced Lightning cable (multiple colors): $8 Prime shipped (Reg. $10)
- Samsung Smart HDTVs: 55-inch 4K 3D Curved $1,375 (Reg. $1,800), more
- FREE ebook: ‘Mobile Security: How to Secure, Privatize, and Recover Your Devices’ ($27 value)
NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:
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
- Moog brings its $10,000 Model 15 synth to iPad and iPhone w/ new $30 app
- Erato’s Apollo 7 is the latest Kickstarter project with a goal of completely wireless earbuds
- SeeNote puts your iPhone notifications and smart home controls on an e-ink display
- Leica’s latest $6,000 digital camera drops the built-in display for a throwback look
Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, Best Buy, Daily Deals, free apps, Gold Box, MacBook Air, Motorola, Philips hue, video games
Apple schedules WWDC 2016 scholarship winner orientation for June 12
After issuing WWDC scholarships to winning applicants earlier this week for its upcoming developers conference in June, Apple has now invited winners to a WWDC 2016 orientation on Sunday, June 12th.
Filed under: Developers Tagged: Apple, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, June 12, scholarships, worldwide developers conference, WWDC
Opinion: Apple badly needs to fix App Store search, but not by paid placements
We heard last month that Apple has a team of around 100 people working on revamping the search functionality in the iOS App Store. If true, it’s long overdue because App Store search is a truly terrible experience. You know it, I know it, developers know it, everyone in the world knows it – except, it had always appeared, the Apple execs in charge of it.
If Apple is actually going to fix App Store search so that it works, that’s excellent news. But one part of the report sounded distinctly less encouraging.
One of the methods that Apple is considering is paid search. Essentially, developers and companies could pay to have their app shown more prominently in search results.
That gives the impression that Apple is more focused on generating additional revenue than delivering a great user experience …
Filed under: Opinion Tagged: App Store, App Store (iOS), App Store search, Apps, iOS App Store, Opinion, search
Apple reporting ongoing iCloud Mail and Notes outage for some users
If you’re currently experiencing issues with iCloud Mail or Notes, then you’re not alone. Apple is currently reporting an ongoing iCloud outage affecting a small percentage of users (which is probably still a lot of people at Apple’s scale) when sending and receiving email with iCloud Mail or using iCloud Notes.
Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Friday the 13th, icloud, Mail, notes
Almost entire Sharp board will be replaced as Foxconn vows to turn the company around
Following the on-off-on-again acquisition of display-maker Sharp by Foxconn, the company has announced that 12 of the 13 board members – including CEO Kozo Takahashi – will step down once the takeover process is complete. The WSJ reports that the announcement follows deepening losses at the company.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apple suppliers, displays, Foxconn, screens, Sharp