Apple in talks to hire Drake, Pharrell and David Guetta as iTunes Radio DJs

Apple wants to bring in Drake, Pharrell Williams and David Guetta as guest DJs for its soon-to-be-revamped iTunes Radio service, reports New York Post. The company is on the verge of revolutionizing its music offerings with its first on-demand streaming music service, said to be called Apple Music, based on the Beats technology it acquired. Apple Music...

First HomeKit devices reportedly launching next week

The first smart home devices controlled by Apple's HomeKit platform will arrive next week, according to a report by 9to5Mac, citing sources briefed on the plans. HomeKit is a framework for connected-home devices that debuted at WWDC 2014 and was included in iOS 8, released in fall last year, that allows developers to build products that integrate...

Apple: Suspected Watch OS 1.0.1 heart rate bug is intentional

Following user concerns regarding a change in heart rate measurements after the first Watch OS update, Apple Watch support documents now back the change as intentional, and likely here to stay for the near future. With Watch OS 1.0.0, Apple Watch took heart rate measurements every 10 minutes, storing those measurements in the Health app. After users...

The TiP Weekly: Jony Ive’s future, Unicode of Death, iOS 9 rumors and more

From the Editor We're back with another instalment of The TiP Weekly! What a week in the Apple community! We had some huge new regarding Apple's top designer Jony Ive — and lots of speculation about his future that followed — as well as some more on iOS as we continue to hurtle towards iOS 9. Google also had its I/O developer...

Apple’s camera-equipped mystery vans collecting next-gen Maps data, 3D Street View imagery

Earlier this year, a number of mystery vans equipped with an array of cameras were spotted in cities across the US and it soon came to light that these vehicles were leased to Apple. This led to speculation that the vans were part of a rumored Apple self-driving car project, but later evidence suggested the data gathering was more likely for Apple's...

Apple acquires augmented reality firm Metaio

Apple has acquired Metaio, an augmented reality startup based in Munich, Germany. Founded in 2003, Metaio specializes in AR software development and custom augmented reality applications and has subsidiaries in San Francisco, New York City and Dallas. TechCrunch, reporting the purchase, received the standard reply from Apple when confirming an...

Readdle launches Spark email client for iPhone and Apple Watch

Readdle today took wraps off its brand new email client, Spark. As the name suggests, Spark is a fast way to manage your email, taking advantage of an intuitive user interface and some smart automatic email categorization helps you get through your inbox more quickly. The app, out today for iPhone for free, also has an Apple Watch extension with some neat...

Apple acknowledges iOS Messages crash with new support page

Earlier this week, an odd bug was found with Messages for iOS. In particular, if a user receives a certain string of text, it forces the iOS device to "respring", reloading the main Springboard application that provides the iOS app home screen. Some details about the cause of the bug have surfaced, and 9to5Mac's community has more information on what is...

Force Touch to come to iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus

After being introduced in the Apple Watch and later in the trackpads of the new MacBook and MacBook Pro updates, Force Touch is said to be coming to Apple's iPhones this year. While being reported earlier that Force Touch might only come to the larger iPhone 6s Plus, a new report from Economic Daily News says that Force Touch should be coming to the...

Video shows Apple Watch charging faster via hidden diagnostic port

It's been widely reported that the Apple Watch features a hidden port thought to be used for diagnostic purposes, stowed away in the top strap slot and covered by a protective panel. This port can also be used to charge the Watch, something that accessory makers are keen to latch on to. One of the first projects to take advantage of this port for...

Quickly mark up screenshots on your iPhone or iPad with Pinpoint

Pinpoint, a newly relaunched version of Marco Arment's retired Bugshot app, is a simple application from Lickability that enables you to quickly mark up screenshots with text, boxes, arrows and blur before sending them on to friends or colleagues. You take screenshots. But sometimes you need to mark them up a bit before sharing them with your friends...

Apple readying Apple Pay rewards program for WWDC debut

Apple is set to announce a rewards program for Apple Pay at next month's WWDC, according to a report by The New York Times. In an article covering the futures of both Apple Pay and Google's Android Pay — which will get some stage time later today at Google I/O — it is suggested that Apple will use its Worldwide Developer Conference to announce...

Apple working on Google Now competitor for iOS, codenamed ‘Proactive’

Much in the same way Google has built in Google Now with deep integration into Android devices, Apple is said to be working on an iOS equivalent codenamed "Proactive." Proactive is said to leverage Calendar, Contacts, Passbook, and of course Siri, to provide timely information to an iOS user. As is true of all of Apple's endeavors, care is being taken so...

Apple updates WWDC application for 2015, features Apple Watch app, session schedule

Apple has updated its WWDC app ahead of the 2015 conference. The refreshed app, updated to version 3.0, features support for the Apple Watch, including the viewing of sessions from the wearable. Make the most of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference with the WWDC app. Even if you can’t join us in San Francisco, you can still follow along each day...

Apple jumps over Google to reclaim title of world’s most valuable brand

Apple has been named the Most Valuable Global Brand by research firm Millward Brown in its 2015 BrandZ brand value report. Apple's value has risen 67% from last year to $246.9 billion, surpassing Google in the process, giving Apple the top spot for a fourth time in the past five years. "With a 67 percent rise in Brand Value to $247 billion, Apple...

Snapchat may abandon touch-to-view, waiting to develop “unique experience” on Apple Watch

Snapchat may soon do away with the requirement to touch and hold a finger down on the display in order to view images and videos in the app. Speaking to Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg yesterday at Code Conference, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel stated that the company may abandon its distinctive touch-to-view experience as it is potentially "holding back"...

iOS 9 to support iPhone 6s Force Touch, bring iMessage, Keyboard and Apple Pay improvements

Following up on a report detailing "Rootless" security, "Trusted Wi-Fi" and support for legacy A5-based devices in iOS 9, today Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac again laid out some upcoming changes in the next major version of Apple's mobile operating system. One major update is the inclusion of support for Apple Watch-style Force Touch input. iPhone 6s is...

Windows’ Cortana coming to iOS

Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant in Windows, is going cross platform. The digital helper, akin to Siri and Google Now, will be available on iOS (and Android) later this year as announced by Microsoft in a blog post today: Today, we’re announcing a Cortana application for Android phones and for iPhones which works as a companion to Cortana on...

Rumor: iPhone 6s to adopt smaler LED backlighting chips for thinner, lighter form factor

Apple's next-gen iPhone could get thinner and lighter thanks to new LED backlighting chips, according to a new report. Apple, in order for its next-generation iPhones to become slimmer and lighter, will reportedly adopt 0.4t (dimensions of 3.0 x 0.85 x 0.4mm) LED chips for backlight units (BLUs), smaller than the 0.6t (3.0 x 0.85 x 0.6mm) adopted for the...

Jonathan Ive promoted to Chief Design Officer, hands managerial duties over to two experienced execs

Jonathan Ive has served as the Senior Vice President of Design at Apple for several years running. However, The Telegraph revealed today that Apple's executive was recently promoted to “Chief Design Officer” and has handed control of both the industrial and software design departments over to two long-serving executives. Alan Dye will be in...

iPhone 6s camera rumored to gain Sony 12MP sensor, RGBW Coding technology

  The camera is a huge selling point for new iPhone models, particularly in 's' years like 2015 is expected to be. When the external appearance is as good as identical, it can be hard to convince customers to upgrade but an improved snapper makes for a great headline new feature. Naturally, a lot of rumors have concentrated on the next-gen...

The TiP Weekly: iOS 9, Apple TV, iPad Pro rumors galore

From the Editor We're back with another instalment of The TiP Weekly! WWDC is just over two weeks away and that means Apple's plans for the event are firming up. That also means that we start hearing more news leaking out from the Cupertino company. This week, there were stories concerning almost every current and future Apple product from...

Gold Apple Watch Edition models begin arriving with new packaging and contents [Gallery]

Can you guys believe that it's already been about a month ago that the Apple Watch has been released for sale? With that being said, gold Apple Watch Edition models have finally begun arriving for customers who placed early online orders. The Apple Watch Edition’s white external packaging is almost identical to that of the stainless steel Apple Watch;...

Giveaway: Win yourself a Darkside Ollie from Sphero!

We've once again teamed up with the awesome folks at Sphero and are giving away their newest app-controlled robot: Darkside. The new, blacked-out Darkside is a revamped version of last year's Ollie and has a mind of its own. We just published our full review of the device and are now giving you the chance to win one of your own! To enter, simply...

Review: Darkside Ollie by Sphero

Fresh from a super cool collaboration with Disney and Lucasfilm for the new Star Wars movie (yep, BB-8 is their work), Sphero this week unveiled its newest app controlled droid: Darkside. An update to last year’s Ollie, Darkside is a blacked-out version that channels its inner Sith powers and is much less subservient than its blue and white...

Report: Apple to include local stations in streaming TV service, likely to delay launch

Apple is hoping to include live programming and local TV channels in its rumored TV streaming service but its desire to secure such content could delay the service's launch, according to a report by Re/code. Citing industry executives "familiar with Apple's plans", the report claims that Apple wants to offer local broadcast programming in cities...

Review: Just Mobile’s high-capacity Gum++ and TopGum external battery packs

The current crop of iPhones made great strides in the battery life arena thanks to their physical size increasing. But battery tech is advancing pretty slowly and however much battery Apple manages to cram into its iOS devices, and however much optimization the company does on the software-side, there are still times when you can be caught short. Just...

iPad Pro, iOS 9 split-screen multitasking, and multi-user support detailed in new report

We've heard a lot of talk about Apple's rumored 12.9-inch 'iPad Pro' as well as potential software enhancements for the larger-screened iOS device lineup, and a new report from 9to5Mac covering the future of iPad updates sheds some light on what to expect from Apple's new tablet hardware and software. Apple is working on a number of upgrades to...

Apple planning to include Transit directions in iOS 9 Maps app

Apple is readying a new Transit feature for its Maps application in iOS 9, according to a new report by 9to5Mac. Apple was rumored to be prepping the feature last year, ahead of iOS 8, but pulled Transit support before launch. In iOS 9, Maps is said to contain support for bus, subway and train routing and will use an interface similar to the one...

Apple Watch bands now available to buy in select Apple Stores

As expected, Apple Watch bands are now beginning to show up in a Apple Retail Stores. Customers are reporting that stores in the US and UK (and presumably other launch countries) are now stocking variations of the Apple Watch Sport bands for purchase. Twitter user Apple Radar spotted the bands in the image above in Miama, FL, showing a number of...

You’ll soon be able to purchase Apple Watch bands at the Apple Store

Apple Stores will soon beginning stocking Apple Watch bands, according to an internal memo acquired by 9to5Mac. Later this week, Apple's retail locations will begin selling "limited" quantities of Apple Watch bands, mainly consisting of the Apple Watch Sport's fluroelastomer bands. According to the memo, the band stock will mainly be for customers who...

Apple planning iOS 9 ‘Home’ app to control HomeKit accessories [Report]

Apple is supposedly gearing up to launch HomeKit soon, most likely in time for WWDC next month, including the inclusion of a new 'Home' app in iOS 9, according to 9to5Mac. The Home app will allow users to control their connected home accessories from within one centralized app on their devices. HomeKit was first introduced at WWDC last year in...

Potential iPhone 6s photo leak shows dual-lens camera, Rose Gold color

Seth Weintraub of 9to5Mac received and posted the above photos of a "likely fake" Rose Gold iPhone 6s, which features a dual-lens camera. Prior rumors have claimed that iPhone 6s will feature a dual-lens camera with optical zoom capabilities. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has said that the next iPhone will feature a 12MP camera and Rose Gold...

Apple to bring Apple Watch’s ‘San Fransisco’ font to iOS 9, OS X 10.11

According to a new report, Apple plans to keep iOS and OS X fresh by introducing the new Apple Watch font as the system default. Sources "with knowledge of the preparations" inform 9to5Mac that the Apple Watch's 'San Fransisco' font will replace the current default font Helvetica Neue which arrived with iOS 7 in 2013 and with OS X Yosemite just last...

Apple’s new Lightning Dock requires iOS 8

Apple surprised us all by releasing a new Lightning Dock for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The dock, which also supports iPhones 5, 5c and 5s, arrives 9 months after the current crop of iPhones were released and features support for charging and syncing via the Lightning connector as well as audio out via its 3.5mm jack. Although not stated on the product...

olloclip introduces new Active Lens for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus for Ultra-Wide and Telephoto shots

Mobile photo accessory maker olloclip today unveiled the newest addition to its lineup: Active Lens. Containing both an Ultra-Wide and Telephoto lens, Active Lens can clip onto the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus in seconds without the need for an additional case or magnets. Active Lens can be used with the rear iSight camera or the front-facing FaceTime camera of...

Apple pushes out first Apple Watch OS software update with Watch OS 1.0.1

Apple has released the first software update for Apple Watch: Watch OS 1.0.1. The update brings with it a number of improvements and is available via the Apple Watch iPhone app. Improved areas include: Siri Measuring stand activity Calculating calories for indoor cycling and rowing workouts Distance and pace during outdoor walk and run...

Apple Watch will be available in Apple Stores in June, says CEO Tim Cook

Apple Watch will go on sale in Apple Retail Stores in June, according to a comments made by CEO Tim Cook on his recent trip to China. Speaking to retail employees in the country, Cook reportedly "promised" that the device will be available to buy in stores "by June". We've heard a similar timeframe previously from retail SVP Angela Ahrendts. Cook's...

Apple releases new universal Lightning dock for iPhone

Today, Apple released a new Lightning connector dock for iPhone. This dock is compatible with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, and the latest fifth-generation iPod touch. The much-anticipated Lightning dock released almost 9 months after the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were introduced. However, given that Apple's "official" Lightning...

Starbucks and Spotify ink multi-year, in-store music streaming deal

Ahead of a huge shift in Apple's music offerings next month, longtime iTunes partner Starbucks has inked a multi-year deal with music streaming rival Spotify. Starbucks will make Spotify central to the music experience in its US stores and will also offer customers the chance to earn free drinks by subscribing to Spotify Premium. As part of the deal,...

WSJ: Apple shelved its UHDTV plans a year ago

Since Apple entered the TV market with its Apple TV set top box way back in 2007, we've seen rumor after rumor pointing to an eventual TV set from the Cupertino company. At almost every possible juncture, Apple has been quizzed on its plans for a fully-fledged TV with senior staff repeating the party line that Apple TV is simply a "hobby" for the...

iPhone 6s release date rumored for August

The next generation iPhone could arrive sooner than most of us expected if two reports from Taiwan are to be believed. The United Daily News suggests that the iPhone 6s will debut in August, rather than September as we've grown accustom to, thanks to better than expected component production yields. The reports also point to two new iPhones this fall, the...

Report: Significant Apple Watch software update, ‘TVKit’ SDK for Apple TV coming soon

According to a new report, Apple is readying a number of updates to Apple Watch's software as well as investigating some longer term hardware improvements. Also said to be coming soon is an SDK for Apple TV allowing developers to build their own apps for the platform. The information, which comes from 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman citing a "proven" sources,...

First ‘Steve Jobs’ movie trailer gives us an early glimpse of Michael Fassbender as the Apple co-founder

The first official trailer for the upcoming Steve Jobs movie was released yesterday. In it, we are treated to our first glimpses of Michael Fassbender as Jobs, select audio snippets from the film and brief shots of other cast members Seth Rogen, Kate Winslet and Jeff Daniels. The Steve Jobs movie has faced a number of setbacks during production, but is...

Apple acquires GPS firm Coherent Navigation to bolster Maps

Apple has acquired GPS startup Coherent Navigation. The acquisition was first reported by MacRumors with Apple later confirming the purchase to The New York Times. Coherent Navigation was a San Fransisco Bay Area company founded in 2008. It specialized in High Integrity GPS (or 'iGPS'), a system that improves GPS accuracies to centimeters rather than...

Tim Cook talks late ’90s Apple, values and more in George Washington University commencement speech [Video]

Yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage in Washington, D.C. to deliver the commencement speech for George Washington University's class of 2015. In it, Cook speaks of his experiences as a child growing up in Alabama, his values and political inspirations, joining Apple in the late '90s, Steve Jobs and more. In an interesting tidbit, Cook...

Report: Initial Apple Watch production limited by “labor shortages”, now back on track

Initial Apple Watch production was affected by of "labor shortages", according to a report by DigiTimes. Demand for the Apple wearable outstripped supply since launch but is apparently back on track according to comments made by Quanta vice chairman CC Leung, Apple's production partner for the Watch. Because of labor shortages during the Lunar New...

Apple: First HomeKit products “coming next month.”

Following a story from Fortune regarding HomeKit delays, Apple has made a statement on their connected home platform. Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller: HomeKit has been available for just a few months and we already have dozens of partners who have committed to bringing HomeKit accessories to market and we're looking forward to the first ones coming...

PowerSkin cuts price of PoP’n external battery for iPhone to just $0.01 for limited time

The PoP'n is a unique external battery for iPhone (and Android devices) that doesn't require you to put your iPhone into a bulky charging case. The portable power pack instead sticks onto the back of your iPhone using its suction cups to keep it in place until you're done using it. And you can grab one for $0.01 for a limited time. PowerSkin, makers of...

iOS 8 now running on 82% of devices

iOS 8 adoption continues to steadily creep up. A couple of weeks ago, following the first Apple Watch orders being delivered to customers, we saw the number of devices running the latest version of Apple's mobile OS jump over the 80% mark and that figure has moved to 82% since then. The data, from Apple's official App Store Distribution page, shows 82%...