We recently heard that Apple is planning to open a new retail store at The Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates, and today Apple officially unveiled its plans for the new location. Apple retail SVP Angela Ahrendts shared the news:

We’re getting ready for our newest store in UAE by celebrating local artists and entrepreneurs. Excited for Apple Dubai Mall!

The new Apple Store location doesn’t have a grand opening date set yet as preparations are still ongoing…

more…

Filed under: Apple

Sprinkles, a new iOS camera app from Microsoft, hopes to set itself apart in the emoji-crazed social media game. Touting itself as a “camera with fun ideas,” Sprinkles automatically adds captions and imagery directly atop your photos by detecting different objects, pets, and even people to create randomized quips.

more…

Filed under: Apple

Following reports last month that Spotify was considering restricting some of its biggest releases to paid users as it renegotiates royalty deals with record labels, today Bloomberg confirms that the company has now inked such an agreement with at least one major label partner.

The new multi-year deal with Universal Music Group will mean that some new album releases on Spotify will only be available to paid subscribers. New singles released will continue to be available for free users. The exclusivity to paid subscribers, the report notes, will only be for the first two weeks and will be up to the artists:

more…

Filed under: Apple

In light of the latest news that President Trump has overturned the FCC Internet privacy rules, discussions for and against virtual private networks (VPNs) have resurfaced. One of the biggest complaints with the repeal is that internet service providers are now legally allowed to sell your browsing data, if they’d like. While some ISPs have said that they won’t sell your browsing history for now, that doesn’t bar them from doing so in the future.

Proponents of VPNs believe that by utilizing such a service, you can obfuscate your browsing history so that your ISP won’t be able to build a “catalog” of your browsing habits. Opponents to VPNs dutifully note that by using a VPN service all you’re doing is migrating your browsing history from one ISP’s eyes to another. Browsing history data collection aside, benefits still exist by using VPNs, especially on your iPhone or iPad.

more…

Filed under: Apple

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:

Powerbeats3 Wireless Headphones in all colors from $145

VIZIO’s SmartCast 55-inch 4K HDR UHDTV is down to $600 shipped

Philips Wake-Up Light w/ Sunrise Simulation eases your morning blues at $50

Apple’s AirPort Express (refurb) adds AirPlay to your speakers for $45

App Store Free App of the Week: Blyss iOS puzzler goes free for very first time (Reg. $2)

• Goat Simulator now available for free on iOS (Reg. $5)
• Night Sky 4 for iOS now available for free (Reg. $1+)
• 100 Rogues iOS dungeon crawler free for first time (Reg. $3)

Nintendo Switch Review: The hybrid that changed my mind about consoles

9to5Rewards: Fabriq Wireless Speaker w/ AirPlay and Alexa [Giveaway]

The Best Travel Duffel Bags of 2017

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Daily Deals: Belkin USB Outlet Wall Charger w/ Battery $17, SHARKK Bluetooth Speaker $45, more

Samsung 4.1-Ch. 460W Bluetooth Soundbar w/ HDMI $239 (Reg. $300+)

• This G-Boom Wireless Speaker Delivers Big on Sound at $85
• Smartphone Accessories: Aukey QC 3.0 16000mAh Power Bank $23, more
• Dunkin Donuts $25 Gift Card for $20 w/ email delivery
• Lowepro Camera Bags from Adorama starting at just $10 (Reg. $30+)
• Blendtec Designer Series 1,560W Blender $200 in today’s Gold Box
• Casio Watches up to 60% off highlight Amazon’s Gold Box, from $69
• Brooks Brothers offers up to 70% off clearance for men and women
• Amazon’s Android Unlocked Event discounts popular devices to all-time lows
• Games/Apps: Halo Wars 2 $33, Hitman Complete $40, iOS freebies, more
• Simmons Volt 600 Rangefinder goes to $60 (Reg. $100+) for today only
• Bon Appetit magazine $4/yr or free for Verizon Wireless members
• Domino’s, Best Buy, Sunoco, more: gift cards up to 20% off
• Pilot G2 Premium Gel Ink Pens (12-Pack) from $7 + more office supplies

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

PicoBrew Model C hits Kickstarter with an eye on affordable at-home brewing

Kudrone is your affordable 4K Smart Nano Drone

Lyra is an intelligent commuter bike with smart lighting and GPS

• Colorware will now let you create the Nintendo Switch of your dreams… for a cost
• Mafia 3’s first act now available for free on PS4/Xbox One + new DLC
• Satechi’s USB-C Travel Charger keeps all of your devices powered up on-the-go
• Chris is your digital co-driver that works with iOS and Android
• Stanley enters the competitive 3D Printer market w/ new prosumer model
• Put yourself into games and feel the action with the new Hardlight VR suit
• Destiny 2 reveal trailer, release date, limited edition details, more
• Comcast rolls out new Xfinity prepaid internet service, plans start at $15
• Superscreen supercharges your smartphone with a wireless 10.1-inch HD display
• Introducing ZeTime: Swiss-made mechanics meets smartwatch on iOS and Android
  
• Traeger unveils new Timberline Wi-Fi-enabled smokers with iOS/Android connectivity
• Garmin Forerunner 935 hits with a big price tag, impressive data-driven features
• Nike Flyknit Sneakers: the best active lifestyle option
• Flter uses VPN and Tor over your home network to protect privacy and security
• Musicon is the super intuitive way for kids to create and learn to play music

MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:

Anker iPhone 7/Plus Cases and Screen Protectors from $2 Prime shipped

DODOcase launches 40% off sitewide sale

Amazon Fire tablet sale brings best prices of the year from $40

more…

Filed under: Apple

A new self-healing material has been invented that we may see implemented on smartphone screens in the not too distant future. The material can conduct electricity and apparently has abilities to self-repair beyond just cuts and scratches.

more…

Filed under: Apple

Apple Pay today added more banks and credit unions that now support the payment service, including over 20 for the U.S. and two new banks in Russia. The full list of newly added banks is below.

more…

Filed under: Apple

In light of this week’s passing of the controversial legislation by Trump/Republican Congress to overturn FCC privacy rules, specials.9to5Toys.com is offering a special today-only discount on a VPNSecure lifetime subscription. Applying coupon code PRIVACY6 at checkout drops the final price down to $33, which is one of the best lifetime VPN deals that we’ve ever seen.

more…

Filed under: Apple

Apple is famously one of the most secretive companies in the world. It believes in what Steve Jobs called the ‘magic’ of the surprise reveal. The ‘one more thing’ presentation style pioneered by Steve is so much a part of Apple’s DNA that it has a stock phrase it uses to answer questions about its product plans: ‘We do not comment on future products.’

It’s hard to imagine Apple would ever take a different approach. Today it did.

It not only revealed future product plans a year in advance – something so out of character it’s hard to believe it really happened – but it also did something else Apple almost never does: it admitted to a mistake.

Sure, none of the three Apple execs present ever used that word, but the mea culpa is clear …

more…

Filed under: Apple

August already makes one of the most consumer-friendly smart locks with HomeKit support and much more, and now a new pro version with support for the Z-Wave protocol is coming soon. August announced the new hardware and its entry into Z-Wave Alliance today.

more…

Filed under: Apple