Meet Spotty: a free upcoming app that brings Spotify offline playback to Apple Watch [Video]
If you’re a Spotify Premium user with an Apple Watch, you’re well aware of a big glaring omission as far as watchOS apps are concerned. Indeed, we’re approaching two years since the Apple Watch arrived in stores, and there’s still no official Spotify app for watchOS.
Developer and second year undergrad CS student, Andrew Chang, is aiming to lessen the void when he releases Spotty — a currently-in-beta, free third-party app that will allow Spotify Premium users to sync playlists and albums for offline playback.
That’s right; the app’s offline mode lends users the option of leaving their iPhones at home or in the car while engaged in Spotify-powered music workouts.
Spotty is a super-impressive app that works with all models of Apple Watch. Watch our hands-on video walkthrough as I take the app for a test drive. more…
Filed under: Apple
Apple plans new smaller Ultra Accessory Connector (UAC) for Made-for-iPhone accessories
Apple is planning to adopt a new connector type for accessories for iPhone, iPad and other Apple devices through its official Made-for-iPhone (MFi) licensing program. Dubbed the “Ultra Accessory Connector” (UAC), Apple has recently launched a developer preview of the new connector type to prepare manufacturing partners for the component that in some cases will replace the use of Lightning and USB connectors, according to sources familiar with the program.
Filed under: Apple
tvOS 10.2 beta 2 rolling out for Apple TV
Apple kicks off Back to School 2017 promotion on Macs and iPads in Australia and New Zealand
Apple rolling out iOS 10.3 beta 2 for iPhone and iPad
Apple is rolling out the second iOS 10.3 beta for developer testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The upcoming software update includes Find My AirPods support, CarPlay improvements, Apple’s new filesystem, and more. We’ll update and highlight any changes discovered below.
Filed under: Apple
Apple releases watchOS 3.2 beta 2 for Apple Watch
9to5Toys Lunch Break: 9.7-inch iPad Pro $450, Apple Watch Series 1 from $200, No-Contract iPhone 7 $450, more
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TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro is discounted by $150 at Target, score the Wi-Fi 32GB model for $450 shipped
Target takes $70 off Apple Watch Series 1 as third-party Nike look-alike Sport Bands drop to $6 Prime shipped
Save up to $150 off no-contract iPhones at Boost Mobile: grab an iPhone 7 for just $450 shipped, more
9to5Rewards: NES Classic Edition Bundle Giveaway w/ extra controller, Zelda backpack, 2x Mario amiibo & more ($150+ value)
Apple’s 21-inch Retina 4K iMac is marked down to $1,110 shipped as a cert. refurb w/ warranty (Orig. $1,499)
App Store Free App of the Week: the gorgeous Roofbot puzzler goes free (Reg. $3)
- Mega Man X just hit its lowest price on the App Store in years: $1 (Reg. $5)
- Secret of Mana goes 50% off: the iOS version of the SNES classic is now just $4 (Reg. $8)
- The colorful puzzler Swapperoo for iOS drops to $1 for the first time in nearly a year (Reg. $3)
- The Quell zen puzzler price drops on iOS: Memento+ $1, more
Hands-on with Elago’s $15 Macintosh-inspired W3 Apple Watch Stand [Video]
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
Stock up on Anker accessories up to 40% off: iPhone 7 Clear Case $6, 2-pack Screen Protectors $6, Lightning/USB-C Cables, more
Nomad has launched its Warehouse Clearance Sale, taking 75% off popular accessories: Stand for Apple Watch $10, more
H&R Block Gold Box at Amazon – write off some great savings on tax software starting at $13
- Smartphone Accessories: KMASHI 10000mAh Dual USB Power Bank $9, more
- Insignia 2.1 Bluetooth Speaker System $30, Pioneer 7-inch CarPlay Receiver $900, more
- Enjoy booming wireless sound w/o the Beats price tag: Sony Bluetooth Headphones $68
- Huawei Watch offers iPhone or Android connectivity, heart rate monitoring and more: now $200
- Gift Cards up to 20% off: Jiffy Lube, Lowe’s, Children’s Place, CVS, Toys R Us, AMC + many more
- Games/Apps: Rise of the Tomb Raider $20, Dishonored DE $15, iOS freebies, more
- Get your taxes printed quickly with this Canon PIXMA Inkjet Office Printer w/ AirPrint for $50
- Stanley sealed outdoor mugs, bottles and cooking products 20%+ off, starting at $10
- Office Supplies: 8-Pack Sharpie Retractable Markers $10, Handheld Label Maker $10, more
MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:
You can have the most unique MacBook Pro on the block with this exclusive discount on leather/wood/more Colorware skins (10% off)
Filed under: Apple
BeatsX earphones sporadically appearing in stock for pickup at Apple Stores ahead of launch, still unavailable to purchase
The BeatsX earphones have been showing up briefly in stock for in-store pickup today at various stores across the United States on Apple’s Online Store tracker. However, the availability quickly turns back to currently unavailable and the ‘Add To Bag’ button for purchase remains grayed out.
The Best Buy website has also changed to an option to ‘check stores’, rather than an out of stock notice. Whilst the stock weirdness may suggest that a launch in imminent, perhaps later this week, it does not seem like they will be launching today.
Filed under: Apple
Annual Apple iPhone sales fall for the first time in China, local brands dominate
Apple’s iPhone sales fell for the first time in China on an annual basis. 2016 sales for Apple totalled 44.9 million units with under 10% marketshare, representing a 23% drop in shipments compared to 2015. This decline highlights how China continues to be dominated by local brand smartphone manufacturers like Oppo, Huawei and Vivo.
These companies (many of which are unknown internationally) represent half of smartphone sales in China with Oppo shipments growing more than 100% in the last year. This is according to numbers by IDC, via Bloomberg.
Filed under: Apple
Report: Apple wants to sell used iPhones in India despite earlier resistance from government, Apple will promise quality standards
According to Bloomberg, Apple is again asking for permission to sell used refurbished iPhones in India. The company tried asking for this before but was shot down by government officials in the country. Apple is planning to manufacture new iPhones in India as soon as April but is again negotiating to sell refurbished devices as well, assumedly at lower prices than […]