Universal Pictures has announced it’s set to give ‘Steve Jobs’, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Michael Fassbender, a release on digital services, Blu-ray, and DVD February 2.

Blu-ray and DVD bonuses include “Inside Jobs: The Making of Steve Jobs,” a documentary detailing the making of the film, as well as feature commentary by Danny Boyle, Aaron Sorkin, and editor Elliot Graham.

The film originally opened to mixed reviews from critics and was, according to reports, generally disliked by those close to Jobs. It eventually bombed nationwide following what were reportedly highest per-theatre earnings of the year on its opening weekend.

We’d expect the digital release to hit iTunes and other online video services, but for now Universal is only confirming there will be a “Digital HD UltraViolet” release alongside the Blu-ray and DVD on February 2.

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Blu-ray, bonus, Danny Boyle, Digital, Documentary, DVD, extras, iTunes, Michael Fassbender, release, Steve Jobs, Universal

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Apple has released the first iOS 9.2.1 beta to developers for testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The new software version features build number 13D11 which compares to last week’s iOS 9.2 release at 13C75. The update is available for registered developers currently through the iOS Dev Center.

The first iOS 9.2.1 update likely includes further bug fixes and performance improvements after last week’s public iOS 9.2 release. That new version included a long list of under-the-hood tweaks plus a few public facing features including more 3D Touch support in iBooks, better support for Classical music in Apple Music, Arabic Siri, and support for Apple’s Lightning to SD Card Reader adapters, both new and old.

We’ll check out the new iOS 9.2.1 beta and update with any notable changes. Public beta test versions typically follow after a day or so with first releases, but let us know if you’re a public beta tester and see the update.

Filed under: Developers, iOS Tagged: iOS, iOS 9, ios 9 beta, iOS 9.2.1, iPad, iPhone, IPod Touch

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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:

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/256GB (newest version): $950 or $900 w/ .edu (Reg. $1,199)

Headphones: Beats by Dr. Dre Solo2 Wireless $190 (Reg. $220+), Audio-Technica Over-Ears + FiiO e6 amp $149, more

Get into smart lighting w/ the Philips Hue Go Portable LED System for $80 shipped (Reg. $100)

Philips Friends of Hue LightStrip Luminaire Starter Kit: $100 shipped (Reg. $200), more wp.me/p1xTlR-Lr5 https://t.co/BMf151BJc2

—
9to5Toys (@9to5toys) December 16, 2015

Gift Cards w/ Email Delivery: Sears $100 for $85, Cabela’s $50 for $40, Spotify $60 for $50, more

Apple Watch Sport $100 off at B&H Photo, prices start at $249 with tax only in NY

Best Buy’s latest Apple sale is your best chance to score iPad, Mac, & Watch deals before Christmas: iPad Air 2 $125 off, iPad Air $100 off, iPad mini 4 $100 off, much more!

Anker USB Power Deals: Astro E7 26,800mAh Power Bank $40 (Reg. $60), Braided Nylon MFi Lightning Cables from $8, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

USB Chargers w/ Prime shipping: Imneed 10,000mah Slim power bank $12, Nylon Braided Lightning Cable $8, more

• Games/Apps: Batman Arkham Knight from $20, Xbox One 1TB GTA V Bundle $350
• Daily Deals: ZAGGfolio Bluetooth Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 $40, Jabra Solemate $50
• Audio up to 60% Off: Bluetooth speakers $12, In-ear headphones from $5
• Bluetooth Speakers: Inateck MercuryBox Aluminum $30, Aukey Rugged $15

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

iPhone 6/s/Plus Accessories: Sport Armbands from $6, cases in a variety of colors/styles from $3 shipped, more

Bose Holiday Savings: SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker $99 (Reg. $129), QC25 Headphones $269 (Reg. $299)

• Toca Nature is now available for free on the App Store (Reg. $3)
• Networking: TP-LINK OnHub 802.11ac Router + Google Chromecast $179
• Buy a new Chromecast, receive a $20 Google Play credit plus more offers
• Google is offering a free $20 Best Buy Gift Card when you use Android Pay
• LG Optimus Exceed 2 (Verizon Prepaid) Android Smartphone $12 (Reg. $50+)
• Media: iTunes HD Movie $10 Sale, Blu-rays from $4, more
• Pencil by FiftyThree smart iPad stylus from $30 Prime shipped (Orig. $50)
• USB Hubs: ORICO Aluminum 7-port $30 (Reg. $40), more
• Get half off a replacement Apple MagSafe 2 Power Adapter: $40 (Orig. $79)
• Capture the action this Christmas with GoPro’s HERO+ LCD camera for $240 (Reg. $300)
• Affinity Photo is Apple’s Mac App of the Year, download it now for $40 (Reg. $50)
• App Store Free App of the Week: Cut the Rope 2 goes free for the first time ($1 value)
• The Room for iOS goes free for the first time in two years (Reg. $1), more
• Download Josh Groban’s latest album Stages for free ($11 value)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz free Kindle download and audiobook (Reg. $9+)
• Mophie iPhone 6/s Juice Pack Air: $75 (Reg. $100)
• Buy select movies from Google Play and get a second copy to gift to a friend for free
• 1-month free Marvel Unlimited comic subscription
• Home Recording: PreSonus AudioBox Studio bundle $150 shipped (Reg. $200+)
• ChugPlug adds 4 hours of battery life to your Macbook: $25 (Orig. $130)
• Mpow Grip Magic Air Vent iPhone 6/s Car Mount $5 Prime shipped

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

YoCam tops GoPro’s tiny action camera in features, but does it matter?

Justin’s Holiday Gift Guide: speakers, Lightning mics, storage, pocket synths & more to up your home recording set-up

Trevor’s Holiday Gift Guide: The perfect accessories for travel – backpacks, cord management, more

Dan’s Holiday Gift Guide: rare Apple collectibles & swag for the techie who has everything

Skip the holiday blues with these practical stocking stuffers

Top 10 holiday movies you can stream right now on Netflix

• This limited edition Rolls Royce cocktail kit is a must see for car and James Bond fans alike
• LEGO Architecture teases upcoming Skyline series featuring the world’s most famous cities
• De’Longhi launches new PrimaDonna Elite coffeemaker w/ iOS connectivity
• Pine64 aims to knock off Raspberry Pi with its low-price 4K-capable microcomputer
• Amazon names the best-selling books of 2015, snag one as a surefire holiday gift

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 13-inch macbook air, 9to5Toys, Amazon, Amazon Gold Box, Amazon Prime, Apple, Beats by Dr. Dre, Beats by Dr. Dre Solo2 Wireless, Best Buy Deal of the Day, coupon code, Daily Deals, Deals, discounted gift cards, eBay Daily Deals, free, free apps, free shipping, itunes deals, New Toy of the Day, Philips hue, smart home

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With Hanukkah over and Christmas only a week away, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve already completed most of your holiday shopping. But just in case you haven’t, I wanted to share a handful of last-minute gift picks that are great for Apple lovers, reasonably priced, and guaranteed to be in stock as of the time of posting.

These picks are all recent — 2015 releases — and hand-selected to be particularly worthwhile. Read on for the details…

1. Apple Watch. Thanks to new colors, new software, and lower prices, it’s no surprise that the Apple Watch has become one of the season’s most popular gifts. I still wear mine every day, and at today’s heavily discounted ($100 off) B&H pricing, with no tax outside NY State, any model you choose is a much better value. As a $249 gift for a wife or girlfriend, the 38mm Apple Watch Sport comes in two gold colors, silver, or gray, each with your preferred band color. The larger 42mm Sport model is better-suited to mens’ wrists, and sells for $299.

2. An Apple Watch Band. Getting the right band for your wrist takes the Apple Watch from “pretty good” to “must wear.” I was less than fully enthusiastic about the rubbery Sport Band that shipped with my Watch, but the moment I added Apple’s Milanese Band, I fell in love — it’s the best watch band I’ve ever owned, and should be for $150. JETech sells a virtually identical knock-off for under $30, and if you don’t mind slight imperfections in the links, consider it. Otherwise, look to this collection of top-rated alternatives, which cover many different styles.

3. Nomad Stand for Apple Watch. I reviewed this stand half a year ago and it’s still my top pick, the rare Apple Watch stand that looks and feels worth the $60 asking price. My guide to the best Apple Watch stands and docks has many other options, but if I had to choose just one, Nomad Stand would be it.

4. Spigen’s Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount System For iPhones. I’ve tried dashboard mounts, air vent clips, and all sorts of wacky things that stick out of cup holders and charging outlets. The best and easiest solution I’ve ever tested, hands-down, is Spigen’s $8 set, which bundles two metal plates with a circular, air vent-mounted magnet. You choose one metal plate to put into your iPhone case, then just touch your case to the magnet to mount your iPhone in the car. I use mine every time I get into the car, and love it.

5. Anker’s Ultra-Slim Extended Battery Case For iPhones. With last week’s release of the $99 iPhone 6s Smart Battery Case, Apple effectively conceded that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s can benefit from some assistance in the battery department. Save yourself nearly $60 and get Anker’s Ultra-Slim Extended Battery Case for iPhones, the top pick from our guide to the Best iPhone 6 Battery Cases, which offers superior power for only $40.

6. Eye-Fi Mobi / Mobi Pro For Photographers With iPhones or iPads. If you’re still using a standalone camera in addition to the one built into your iPhone, you’ve probably wished you could share the camera’s pictures immediately after taking them, rather than returning home and putting them on your computer for processing. My strongly preferred solution is Eye-Fi’s Mobi and Mobi Pro SD cards, which wirelessly send shots directly to your iPhone (or iPad, or Mac). They range from $30 to $80, and the sweet spot is the $45 16GB Mobi.

7. An iPad Stylus – Apple Pencil for iPad Pro, or Adonit’s Jot Dash for other iPads. After years of ambivalence, Apple finally embraced iOS styluses with the $99 Apple Pencil for iPad Pro, which is fantastic — but still almost impossible to find in stores (unless you’re willing to pay a premium). Adonit’s Jot Dash is a great pick for every iPad except the Pro, and readily available in your choice of colors for only $40.

8. An iPad Stand-Case. A stand is the single most conspicuous feature every iPad is missing, and the best way to add one is to incorporate it into a case. The iPad Pro’s best option is Urban Armor Gear’s $80 Composite Case, still in stock in your choice of blue or red, while iPad Airs and iPad minis are best fit with ZeroChroma’s Folio-Slide (above), which goes for $35-$50 depending on the model.

9. A Backup or Video/Photo/Music Storage Drive For Your Mac. If you’re going to buy a hard drive for backups or storing important files, your best option is G-Technology’s G-Drive USB, the ultra-reliable, fast, and professional-class desktop drive I use and highly recommend. For on-the-road convenience in much smaller packages, Seagate’s ultra-thin Seven (shown above) can be had for under $100, and OWC’s tiny Envoy Pro SSDs start at $120.

10. Bluetooth Speakers or Headphones. Any Apple device — Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV or Apple Watch — sounds better when you pair it with either Bluetooth speakers or headphones. You can currently grab Apple’s first Bluetooth speaker, the just-released Beats Pill+, for a discounted price of under $185, or its regularly $380 Beats Studio Wireless headphones for only $250.

More From This Author

Check out more of my reviews, How-To guides and editorials for 9to5Mac here! I’ve published a lot of different topics of interest to Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, and Apple Watch users, as well as a great holiday gift guide for iPhone users, a detailed holiday gift guide for Mac users, and a separate holiday gift guide for Apple photographers.

Filed under: Buying Guides, iOS, iOS Devices, Mac Tagged: 9to5Mac Holiday Gift Guide, gift guide

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Adobe today released a new version of Photoshop Lightroom for iOS with new features for the latest iPhones and iPads. iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users can now enjoy new 3D Touch Quick Actions from the Lightroom icon, and the latest version has been optimized for iPad Pro and enhanced to support iOS 9 multitasking features. The update also introduces a Notification Center widget plus new editing tools as well.

Deep pressing on the updated Lightroom iOS app icon now reveals a new 3D Touch Quick Action to launch right into the camera for taking a fresh shot. Adobe has also added Peek and Pop interactions on 3D Touch iPhones that let you preview and open photos when viewing them from the grid. Press a thumbnail firmly to preview it, then press a bit harder to open it all the way.

The iPad version of Lightroom for iOS has been optimized for the new iPad Pro‘s 12.9″ Retina display to leverage the power and size of Apple’s latest tablet. And with those optimizations come support for iOS 9’s multitasking features including Split View and Slide Over.

That means you can run Lightroom next to other updated Adobe apps including Sketch which works with Apple Pencil,Comp, or any other Split View apps. Slide Over lets you peek into Lightroom from any iPad app. Both features allow you to create new workflows using the app on iOS.

The update also includes a Notification Center widget and new photo editing features that Lightroom users will enjoy as well:

• New: Shoot-through Presets. Apply one of five new, specially formulated presets while capturing a photo from the Adobe in-app camera. Preview how the presets will be applied to your photo before you capture, and enjoy the freedom of adjusting settings after capture with full non-destructive capabilities. Shoot-through presets are available for 64-bit devices only, such as iPhone 5s and later and iPad Air and later.
• Enhanced: Tone Curve – Point Curve Mode. Now, take color control to the next level with a full function Tone Curve tool, enabling access to RGB as well as individual red, green and blue color channels in your photo. 
• New: Split Tone adjustments. Create a distinctive look to your photos by applying a color tone to the highlights or shadows, or to replicate the look of a split-toned black and white photo. 
• New: Notification Center widget. Get instant access to the Adobe in-app camera by enabling the Lightroom for mobile Notification Center widget. Automatically launch the in-app camera with a single swipe down.
• Enhanced: Usability improvements throughout the app. Add photos to multiple collections easier, import photos faster, improved gesture support, and more, get you quickly organizing, creating, and sharing amazing images anywhere you are.

You can grab Lightroom for iOS 2.1 for free on the App Store and try a 30-day trial to test it out.

Filed under: Apps Tagged: 3D Touch, Adobe, iPad Pro, Lightroom, Photoshop, Photoshop Lightroom, Split View

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Take a break from all the Christmas music and check out another new featured station from Apple Music’s Radio section today: Star Wars.

The stellar movie-themed station features tracks picked from the soundtrack of each film in the collection (even the prequels) so you can get hyped for The Force Awakens opening this week.

Need to catch up on the series before the 7th film’s release? You can buy all six movies bundled on Amazon or iTunes in HD for $89.99, $30 off the price of buying each film separately. While Apple is featuring a special Star Wars radio station, Google has been going all out to celebrate the 7th film’s release with full service takeovers and free Star Wars-themed Cardboard VR kits.

While the iTunes release of The Force Awakens is still light years away, you can pre-order the original soundtrack to the new film on iTunes now ahead of its release on Friday. In the meantime, find the Star Wars station under the Featured Stations section in Radio in iTunes on the Mac or PC and Music on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple TV.

No spoilers, presumably, even though the folks at iTunes say they’ve seen the special premier earlier this week:

Filed under: Apple Music Tagged: iTunes, itunes radio, Music, radio, soundtrack, Star Wars, The Force Awakens

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While Apple may be rolling out new stores in mainland China at a rapid rate, it isn’t neglecting Hong Kong. Some five months after opening its fourth Apple Store on the island, it is now expanding its very first store there.

The store at the International Finance Center is suspended above a major road in the city, and AppleInsider obtained a photo of a hoarding on the third floor stating that the new level would “open soon.”

Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple Retail Store, Apple Store, china, Hong Kong

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The enterprise apps partnership between Apple and IBM has reached the goal the two companies set of bringing 100+ MobileFirst apps to the business and professional sectors, reports eWeek. Many enterprise customers of course use these in conjunction with existing consumer apps.

Apple and IBM today announced the release of a new wave of IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps, increasing the number of apps in the portfolio to more than 100 and expanding it to more industries and professions.

Since partnering in 2014, the Apple and IBM collaboration has yielded a slew of made-for-business apps – nearly 50 in the last month alone — that transform work across 14 industries and 65 professions.

The companies plan to make future apps even more powerful …

IBM said it will integrate many future MobileFirst for iOS apps with the capability of its Watson cognitive computing system, enabling the apps to continuously learn about the needs of employees and customers over time — effectively building on data with more use.

Among the companies using the apps are Air Canada, AXA, Bosch, Coca-Cola Amatil, Japan Post, Rimac, SAS Airlines and Vodafone. As examples, Bosch equips field engineers with an app designed to enable them to more quickly diagnose issues with home appliances, while SAS gives flight attendants and app that provides “a 360-degree view of each passenger’s past preferences, interests and purchasing decisions to deliver a more personalized flying experience.”

The site reports that one of the latest apps added to the portfolio is one aimed at wealth advisors in banks.

Among the new banking apps announced today is the Discover Needs app, which gives wealth advisors access to all necessary information, including meeting schedules and customer profiles, portfolios and goals, so they can maximize the time their time in the field with customers. Open Account, another new banking app in the MobileFirst for iOS portfolio, simplifies the process for opening a bank account — reducing the time it takes for bank employees to assist customers.

IBM is, of course, working on apps for the iPad Pro, including ones that use the Apple Pencil for tasks as diverse as room designs and annotating maintenance logs.

The partnership was extended back in the summer to include IBM distributing and supporting enterprise Macs for other companies. IBM employees were also offered the option of Macs for the first time earlier in the year.

Image: Bidness etc

Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple and enterprise, Apple Inc, enterprise, Enterprise apps, IBM, IBM partnership, mobilefirst

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If you’re an Rdio user, you have a week to download your playlists before the service goes offline at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Tuesday 22 December. Although the company was acquired by Pandora last month, its new owners are not continuing the service, but instead incorporating some of its technology and talent.

You can download an archive of your collection, and also see your listening stats, by logging in at the company’s ‘farewell’ page.

Rdio has posted a few stats to the page, showing that the most-played album was Nothing Was The Same by Drake, while the most popular song was When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars.

Via Engadget

Filed under: Apps Tagged: Music, Pandora, Pandora Radio, Rdio, Streaming Music

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Google has once more posted its annual Year in Search video, covering topics as diverse as the refugee crisis, the blue/gold dress, Cecil the lion, female engineers, the discovery of water on Mars, gay marriage, Star Wars and more. It also posted the top ten search terms for a range of categories, with Apple taking three out of the top four slots in consumer tech …

As last year, the latest iPhone model – the 6 last year and 6S this year – was the top search, while the Apple Watch climbed from #8 to #3 and the iPad Pro took 4th place. Samsung also got three places, with LG, HTC, Nexus and Microsoft getting one apiece.

1. iPhone 6s
2. Samsung Galaxy S6
3. Apple Watch
4. iPad Pro
5. LG G4
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 5
7. Samsung Galaxy J5
8. HTC One M9
9. Nexus 6P
10. Surface Pro 4

Across all categories, the top 10 list was:

1. Lamar Odom
2. Charlie Hebdo
3. Agar.io
4. Jurassic World
5. Paris
6. Furious 7
7. Fallout 4
8. Ronda Rousey
9. Caitlyn Jenner
10. American Sniper

You can check out the Year in Search video below.

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apple Inc, Apple watch, Google, iPad Pro, iPhone, iPhone 6s, Year in Search 2015

Check out 9to5Mac for more breaking coverage of iOS Devices, iPhone, and Apple watch.

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