Apple shows employees lighter side of Steve Jobs in wake of upcoming negative movies
ABC published some out-takes from a video Apple provided it showing Steve Jobs in the run up to the iPhone launch and at other times later in his tenure at Apple that depict his lighter, more humanistic side. Apple has previously worked with ABC, providing Tim Cook airtime to discuss both Apple and Steve Jobs a year ago.
The move by Apple is likely in response to two negative movies that portray the Apple cofounder in an arguably negative light; these are hitting theaters this month. The release of these clips follow up on Apple executives posting positive essays about Jobs in recent days on Apple’s website for employees.
Steve Jobs’s own wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, even reportedly tried to stop the Sorkin movie from launching, but she never publicly confirmed these attempts. Former Apple colleagues such as Andy Hertzfeld have said that the movie “deviates from reality everywhere,” while the movie’s producers stress they “made a good movie.”
The Steve Jobs movie, based on Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography, goes on limited release in theaters on October 9th and general release on October 23rd.
Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: ABC, Apple, bio, film, Steve Jobs
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PSA: You can now reserve your iPhone 6s/Plus for Friday pickup in six European countries
If you’ve been waiting impatiently for your chance to get your hands on an iPhone 6s/Plus, you’re in luck if you live in Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland. Apple’s website in each of the six countries is now allowing access to its Reserve and Pickup program, allowing you to select your chosen model online before picking it up from your nearest Apple Store when they go on sale on Friday.
Note that you will need government-issued photo ID to collect your shiny new iPhone, and will need to collect within the 30-minute time-slot selected.
The six countries offering the reservation facility are among 36 countries to receive the new iPhones this Friday. The full list is Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan.
Sales in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates follow the next day, with India, Malaysia and Turkey joining them on October 16th. Apple says the new iPhones will be on sale in over 130 countries by the end of the year.
Apple sold more than 13 million iPhones in the opening weekend. If you’re wondering whether to join them, you can check out my iPhone 6s diary and a video of the best 3D Touch features. If you know you want the new phone but can’t decide between the 6s and the 6s Plus, our comparison video and opinion piece may be of help.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s availability, iPhone 6s Europe, iPhone 6s pickup, iphone 6s plus
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Twitter launches its ‘Project Lightning’ curated news feature called Moments
Just a day after Jack Dorsey was named permanent CEO of Twitter, the social network is launching a big new feature in its app called Moments. What started as Project Lightning showcases for a lot of users the best part of Twitter: keeping caught up with in-the-moment news that you care about. The new Moments feature can be found behind the lightning bolt icon through Twitter’s mobile apps and on the web in the US.
Twitter says Moments will update throughout the day with most stories added by curators at the social network and others from contributor partners including Buzzfeed, Vogue, NASA, and groups and publications.
A moment begins with a headline and description and can include large photography, autoplaying videos, Vines, and GIFs. Moments behave like tweets, letting you RT or fave just as you normally would a story.
Moments can also develop as news breaks and new details come into play:
For stories that update very frequently — like live sporting events or awards shows where it’s critical to know what’s happening minute by minute — you’ll see an option to follow the Moment, which blends the Tweets directly into your timeline. So you can keep track of the latest updates in real time without having to tap back and forth between tabs.
Once you’re caught up on browsing new Moments, you can dig for others through categories including sports and entertainment. For general Twitter users, Moments should make it easier to stay up on news and developing stories without having to know which sources are best to follow.
Moments comes to Twitter just as Apple recently launched its own take on presenting curated and personalized news to customers through iOS 9’s News app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Unlike Moments, Apple News currently lacks a web or desktop component. Facebook has also been investing similarly in this space with a feature called Instant Articles that presents pre-loaded articles with rich media and custom layouts within the mobile app.
Moments should appear in Twitter for iPhone and iPad starting today for users in the US.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: Moments, Project Lightning, Twitter
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Sketchy Japanese supply-chain report says iPad Pro will go on sale in 1st week of November
Apple hasn’t yet been any more specific about when you’ll be able to get your hands on an iPad Pro beyond saying that it’ll be sometime in November, but Japanese blog Mac Otakara claims it will go on sale in the very first week. Unsurprisingly, the Apple Pencil is said to be due to go on sale at the same time.
As ever with non-specified supply-chain sources, take them with a very large pinch of salt. All Apple’s suppliers know with any certainty are their own deadlines for their own components – they are not given access to Apple’s retail plans.
Apple officially announced the 12.9-inch iPad at its September event, along with the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories. Pricing will range from $799 to $1079. The device got an early thumbs-up from Pixar.
Via Apple Insider
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Pro availability, iPad Pro release date
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More than 30% of U.S. children first use a mobile device while in diapers, says American Academy of Pediatrics
Updated parental guidelines are needed to help make informed decisions about the use of technology by children, says the American Academy of Pediatrics, as it revealed that more than 30% of U.S. children first use a mobile device while still in diapers. The AAP says that “digital life begins at a young age, and so must parental guidance.”
The Academy says that its existing policy statement was actually drafted before the first iPad was launched. A two-day symposium held earlier this year generated twelve key messages, based not just on limiting screen time but also on distinguishing helpful from harmful use of technology …
A number of key messages for parents emerged from the AAP Growing Up Digital: Media Research Symposium. Among them is that family participation with media facilitates social interactions and learning. Parents should play a video game with their kids, and always co-view with infants and toddlers.
The AAP said that the quality of the content was more important than either the medium or the amount of time spent in front of a screen. If the content was educational, it didn’t matter whether the format was a paper book or an app viewed on a tablet. It did, however, say that limiting screen time was still important – and not just for kids.
Attentive parenting requires face time away from screens.
The full list of messages to parents can be found below.
Photo: Huffington Post
The following key messages for parents emerged:
- Media is just another environment. Children do the same things they have always done, only virtually. Like any environment, media can have positive and negative effects.
- Parenting has not changed. The same parenting rules apply to your children’s real and virtual environments. Play with them. Set limits; kids need and expect them. Teach kindness. Be involved. Know their friends and where they are going with them.
- Role modeling is critical. Limit your own media use, and model online etiquette. Attentive parenting requires face time away from screens.
- We learn from each other. Neuroscience research shows that very young children learn best via two-way communication. “Talk time” between caregiver and child remains critical for language development. Passive video presentations do not lead to language learning in infants and young toddlers. The more media engender live interactions, the more educational value they may hold (e.g., a toddler chatting by video with a parent who is traveling). Optimal educational media opportunities begin after age 2, when media may play a role in bridging the learning achievement gap.
- Content matters. The quality of content is more important than the platform or time spent with media. Prioritize how your child spends his time rather than just setting a timer.
- Curation helps. More than 80,000 apps are labeled as educational, but little research validates their quality (Hirsh-Pasek KPsych Science2015;16:3-34Google Scholar). An interactive product requires more than “pushing and swiping” to teach. Look to organizations like Common Sense Media (http://ift.tt/HJ04xg) that review age-appropriate apps, games and programs.
- Co-engagement counts. Family participation with media facilitates social interactions and learning. Play a video game with your kids. Your perspective influences how your children understand their media experience. For infants and toddlers, co-viewing is essential.
- Playtime is important. Unstructured playtime stimulates creativity. Prioritize daily unplugged playtime, especially for the very young.
- Set limits. Tech use, like all other activities, should have reasonable limits. Does your child’s technology use help or hinder participation in other activities?
- It’s OK for your teen to be online. Online relationships are integral to adolescent development. Social media can support identity formation. Teach your teen appropriate behaviors that apply in both the real and online worlds. Ask teens to demonstrate what they are doing online to help you understand both content and context.
- Create tech-free zones. Preserve family mealtime. Recharge devices overnight outside your child’s bedroom. These actions encourage family time, healthier eating habits and healthier sleep.
- Kids will be kids. Kids will make mistakes using media. These can be teachable moments if handled with empathy. Certain aberrations, however, such as sexting or posting self-harm images, signal a need to assess youths for other risk-taking behaviors.
Digital life begins at a young age, and so must parental guidance. Children who are “growing up digital” should learn healthy concepts of digital citizenship.
Filed under: iOS Devices, Mac, Tech Industry Tagged: American Academy of Pediatrics, children, Education, education apps, Kids, Toddlers
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Review: Belkin’s Charge Dock, the first w/ an integrated Apple Watch charger
After Apple announced plans back in July to let accessory manufacturers produce Apple Watch docks that integrate its magnetic charging connector, today the first product to take advantage arrives with Belkin’s new Charge Dock Apple Watch – which also includes an integrated lightning connector for simultaneously docking an iPhone. We’ve been testing the product ahead of its release…
Apple provides the Apple Watch’s magnetic charging connector component to accessory manufacturers through its Made for iPhone (MFi) licensing program, and Belkin is one of the first to take advantage with the launch of its new Charge Dock today. Accessory makers currently selling Apple Watch docks have to use exposed grooves, a recess, or other workarounds to allow users to snake their own Apple charging cable through the product.
We’ve reviewed a number of Apple Watch docks and pointed out the lack of integrated charging cables as the one major downside of the current crop of docks and stands. So I was interested to see what Belkin has accomplished with its first design using an integrated charger…
Design:
When it comes to build quality, the Belkin Charge Dock feels as good as it looks. Belkin didn’t cheap out on any of the materials including a solid metal base in Apple aluminum-like finish and a solid metal arm with a chrome finish. All that metal means that Charge Dock weighs around 1.4lbs.
You’ll also find rubber pads on the base surrounding the Lightning connector, on the chrome arm, and on the bottom of the dock to prevent the metal parts from scratching a docked iPhone and your desk.
The dock has a small dial on the back of the base that allows you to raise the integrated Lightning connector up and down. This is something Belkin has done on past docks and allows users to adjust the height of the connector to accommodate just about any case.
Another unique feature of the dock is a small plastic attachment for the arm that holds the Apple Watch (pictured below). That allows heavier metal bands to sit nicely when docked and keeps the magnetic components on the Milanese loop band from attaching to one another.
What to know before buying:
The dock does consider viewing angles for the Apple Watch when it’s docked, but it didn’t find a way to incorporate Nightstand mode at the same time, which currently only works when the watch is in horizontal, landscape orientation.
And Belkin provides a power supply, so you won’t have to provide any of your own cables like some of the unofficial docks on the market, but the adapter is quite large when compared to an iOS or Apple Watch charger.
Should you buy it?
There’s no denying that the price of $129 is on the high side for a dock that may become obsolete with your next iPhone or Apple Watch upgrade. But with the premium finishings, an Apple-worthy design, and the fact it’s the first product with an integrated Apple Watch charger, to me makes the Belkin Charge Dock one of the best Apple Watch docks yet, and certainly the best Watch/iPhone combo product.
The Belkin Charge Dock for iPhone and Apple Watch is available for $129 through Belkin or Apple.
Filed under: AAPL Company
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Porsche approves CarPlay for new 911, rejects Android Auto as Google demands too much data
Sportscar manufacturer Porsche has approved CarPlay for the 2017 version of its famous 911, but rejected Android Auto because Google demands access to too much data, reports Motor Trend.
As part of the agreement an automaker would have to enter with Google, certain pieces of data must be collected and [sent] back to Mountain View, California. Stuff like vehicle speed, throttle position, coolant and oil temp, engine revs—basically Google wants a complete OBD2 dump whenever someone activates Android Auto …
Apple, in contrast, asked that CarPlay be given access to a single piece of data: whether or not the car is moving. Apple uses this information to limit the functionality a driver can access while the car is being driven, for safety reasons. Tim Cook has frequently emphasized the different approaches to privacy taken by Apple and “other Silicon Valley businesses.”
It was revealed a few days ago that Apple had acquired VocalIQ, a company specializing in voice-based intelligent assistants for cars, presumably to boost Siri’s capabilities in an in-car environment.
Apple added a number of new CarPlay capabilities as part of its rollout of iOS 9, detailed in our what’s new guide.
Via The Verge
Filed under: CarPlay, iOS Tagged: Android Auto, CarPlay, Google, Porsche, privacy
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Beddit launches Apple Watch sleep tracking app as Smart Sleep Tracker comes to Apple Stores
Sleep tracking accessory maker Beddit is out with a new watchOS 2 app for Apple Watch today. Because Beddit offers a dedicated sensor for tracking your sleep duration and quality each night, Apple Watch is able to charge overnight as needed and still present sleep data in the morning. Thanks to hardware access granted to native software, Beddit’s watchOS 2 app lets Apple Watch double as a sleep tracker during the day for measuring naps and creating silent alarms. Just as Beddit’s watchOS 2 app is hitting the App Store, Beddit’s Smart Sleep Tracker is coming to Apple Stores around the world and apple.com for the first time starting today…
watchOS 2 lets Apple Watch apps access hardware and sensors previously unavailable to developers, and Beddit for Apple Watch uses the Digital Crown for navigating the app and the accelerometer for detecting motion. A future update will use data from the heart rate sensor to add even more data for determining sleep quality.
Apple Watch isn’t ideal for sleep tracking just yet as the battery generally needs to recharge while we rest, so Beddit’s Smart Sleep Tracker accessory takes care of that for you. When you awake, however, Apple Watch can present your SleepScore through the Beddit app and provide useful tips to improve your sleep.
Beddit’s Apple Watch app does step in to recommend and track naps during the day, however, suggesting durations for a healthy nap period while using silent alarms to gently wake you up from your rest.
If you’re unfamiliar with Beddit Smart, the sensor placed under your sheets for HealthKit-compatible sleep tracking on iOS, the hardware automatically measures sleep duration and quality and syncs the data back to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch. Quality is measured using a SleepScore based on heart rate, respiration, snoring, and sleep cycle data.
The benefit is that you can charge Apple Watch when you need to, use Apple Watch for tracking healthy naps during the day, and use Beddit Smart for sleep tracking that works with Apple’s Health app and doesn’t require starting and stopping the process each day. Then Beddit’s system recommends ways to improve your sleep quality with healthy habits throughout the day.
And as mentioned before, Beddit Smart Sleep Tracker is available at Apple Stores worldwide plus apple.com for $149.95 starting today. Beddit Smart continues to be sold at other retailers including Amazon ($149 Prime) and Best Buy ($114.99-$149.99) as well.
Filed under: Apple Watch, Apps, iOS Tagged: Apple watch, Beddit, Health, HealthKit, rest, sleep, sleep tracking, watchos 2
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Apple shares six new Apple Watch ads showcasing health capabilities, navigation, and more
Apple this evening has shared six new video advertisements for Apple Watch. All six of the ads have different focuses, but all of them center around what Apple Watch is useful for and in what instances it can be used effectively.
The first ad is called “Sprinkle” and focuses on Apple Watch’s support for Apple Pay, which is the company’s contactless payment solution. The second ad is entitled “Date” and showcases how notifications are handled with Apple Watch, including the light vibration your wrist feels whenever you receive a message. The next ad, called “Ride,” focuses on Apple Maps and how it works with Apple’s wearable. The video showcases a user asking Siri for directions to a destination.
The fourth ad is called “Cycle” and showcases a user working out while wearing Apple Watch and using the Activity app to track her progress as she goes. “Train” is a new ad that features Apple Watch’s ability to track heart rate, a capability that can even be lifesaving, as we learned last month. Finally, “Sing” is the sixth ad today from Apple and shows a user singing into the device, recording it, and sending it as an audio message to his girlfriend.
All of Apple’s new Apple Watch ads come in at 15 seconds in length and can be seen below:
Filed under: Apple Watch Tagged: ads, Apple watch, videos
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YouTube for iOS updated w/ Material Design interface, in-app video editing tools
After a long time in scattered A/B testing, YouTube today has updated its iOS app with a brand new design very reminiscent of its Material Design theme that has graced its other iOS apps recently, as well.
YouTube says that the new interface makes it even easier to find and discover new content. Recommended videos, favorite channels, and subscriptions are all directly accessible from the homescreen of the app by either swiping left and right or tapping on the icons. As you can see in the screenshots above and below, a variety of other changes are also present when it comes to the interface of the app.
In addition the redesigned interface, today’s update also brings in-app editing tools to YouTube on iOS, a feature that will certainly be welcomed by on-the-go vloggers.
The redesigned YouTube app makes it easier to find what you love. Now your recommended videos, favorite channels, and subscriptions can be accessed by tapping each icon or swiping your screen. You can also create fun videos on the fly with new in-app editing tools.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: app, iOS, redesign, YouTube
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