Apple, Apps Lists, iCloud, News/Rumors

Apple’s Podcasts app updated

At last Podcasts app from Apple was updated. It’s renewed and now you can see the true value of it. A number of new features are available. Apple offers an opportunity to create custom stations automatically updated as new episodes. The app also now includes some improvements for stations and playlists. Thanks to iCloud support, all stations can be in step with the time on all your iOS gadgents. Now it’s possible to download or subscribe to audio and video podcasts and they will be synced when you sync the device with iTunes.

One more ability is On-The-Go playlists, an option to support syncing playlists from iTunes. It let your stations start playing with the latest episode.

On some podcast pages you can get information about an artist, rating, category, and add it to your library.

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The app also offers a renewed “Now Playing” opportunity. It allows to see playback controls as pictured screenshots. There are other performance improvements:

• Custom stations. Now they will update new episodes automatically for you.

• Opportunity to start playing with new or old episodes.

• iCloud support, that allows all your devices to be in step with the time.

•Your own lists of episodes in an On-The-Go playlist.

• Synced playlists are now in the Podcasts app.

• A renewed Now Playing option with ability to use playback controls.

Apple’s Podcasts app was improved and received a lot of features that broaden your opportunities. In June 2012, when it was released, the app received a lot of negative comments concerning a bad design and limited abilities. We’ll hope, new enhancements will improve the situation and attract a lot of users.

Apple, News/Rumors

Samsung fans have more iTunes “likes” than Apple fans ?

Facebook “likes” analysis showed, that few Apple fans like iTunes, as well as Samsung fans, especially women.

The fact is, that those, who tell about their liking for Samsung on Facebook, are mostly committed to iTunes, than those who “like” Apple.

Parhaps, there are psychological differences between those who are committed to each brand.

Those who criticize iTunes are sure that this data is a trifle and can not be relied on. But the data did! Twice as many Samsung likers than Apple likers to Apple’s service can prove this fact. They are also slightly more likely to be from female.

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Maybe you will ask, how this data was generated. Well, Business Insider has so called Likester account. Its tools help your private understanding of which brands in Facebook have more ‘likes’.

In this entertaining research, analysts compared likers of Apple’s Facebook page with those who liked the page of Samsung Mobile USA. It turned out, that Apple has 8.8 million likers, while Samsung Mobile USA has almost 23 million.

However, Apple fans seem to have a frenetic adhesion to the brand. And when Samsung is more passionate in posting anything on its Facebook page, Apple seems never do it at all. Well, maybe this fact strengthens this perception.

Apple, News/Rumors

Adobe CTO left for Apple

Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch is leaving the company where he has worked since 2005. Adobe confirmed, that on Monday Lynch left his post to take up a new position in Apple.

“We’re not going to replace the position of Lynch; CEO Adobe, Shantanu Narayen will be responsible now for important technological solutions” the company said. At the same time, an Apple representative confirmed that Lynch will join their company as Vice President of Technology.

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Adobe and Apple had once been partners, and some creative development of Adobe for software were sold to Apple. The companies still cooperate, but Apple aversion to technology Flash, developed by Adobe, has undermined their relationship.

The former Apple CEO, Steve Jobs refused to let Flash runs on iPhones and iPads.
Soon Adope stopped developing Flash for mobile browsers, and directed all their efforts to improve HTML5.

The news that Lynch is leaving the company came to the day when Adobe announced its financial results. Its revenue declined 4% to $ 1.01 billion.

 

Apple, iPhone, News/Rumors

A new killer software feature for iPhone 5S

A killer software feature is a new idea of Apple for the next iPhone. May be it’s time for excitement about future of smartphones again! Everyone, except HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 are ready for this excitment.

Apple is planing to prove that smartphones are not becoming a commodity product like so many soybeans sold on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Let’s pay attention to big smartphone releases for the past year and a half. Well, now you see, that the game-changing innovations are still the same, nevertheless each new iPhone, Android flagship, and even the Lumia and BlackBerry is more powerful and nicer that the last one.

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In fact, we were all excited with a new phone feature Siri for the iPhone 4S, which was introduced a year and a half ago. But even Siri didn’t end up bursing into flame.

Maybe smartphone hardware is becoming more like those soybeans, that don’t excite as we want. Katy Huberty, a frequent Apple watcher is sure that the smartphone revival isn’t over.

That sounds great, but soon we’ll check it! And what killer feature would you like to see in the next iPhone?

Apple TV, News/Rumors

Apple TV in Aloft Hotel

The trendy Aloft Hotel in Cupertino, which is only two blocks from Apple headquarters, set Apple TV in each of the 123 rooms. Hotel guests can get access to TV shows and movies using the Apple TV, as well as to Netflix and Hulu. Apple TV set-top boxes at Aloft allow access to the front desk and receive important information.

Aloft Cupertino – the first hotel with an Apple TV in all rooms. Guests can choose from thousands of movies and TV shows in iTunes, connect to Netflix for movies, Hulu for TV shows, MLB.com, sports, and more. Apple TV-enabled Airplay, also allows guests to play videos, view photos and listen to music from any iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch – directly to your 42-inch LCD television set in the room.
In the lobby, guests can access the «Cool Concierge” service, by which they can obtain information about hotel services, including room service, spa brochures, restaurant menus, shopping catalogs, maps and city guides, phone numbers.
Beginning in March, the hotel also offers a “smart race,” which allows guests to bypass the front desk and go straight to their rooms using radiofrequency ID (RFID).

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Apple TV console can be customized with Itunes accounts from anywhere in the country and removed after each use to allow guests to access their accounts Itunes.

While Apple TV, often referred to as Apple’s “hobby” project due to lack of popularity, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that more than two million units were sold in the 1st quarter of 2013, that’s an increase of 60%. Cook also confirmed that the Apple TV is an area of ​​intense interest to Apple, saying:

“I am inclined to believe that there is much we can assist in this area, and we continue to pull the string and see where it leads us.”

Apple TV recently received slight update, added a smaller A5 chip in the device, but Apple rumored to be working on a more significant update, which can range from improved content and inclusion of third-party applications.

Mac, News/Rumors

Apple offers iMacs with built-in VESA Mount Adapter

Apple recently updated its online store to reflect availability of a new VESA mount-compatible iMac, with the tweaked version of the thin all-in-one costing in at $40 more than standard models.
First spotted by German Apple blog iFun, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) compatibility is likely to be a welcome addition for users who are already invested in the mounting standard.

When Apple first announced the redesigned iMac in October, it was discovered that unlike previous models, the new machines could not be used with standard VESA mounts. In response to feedback from users disappointed in the change, Apple said it was taking the idea of adding the capability into consideration, but offered no concrete details as to when a solution would be made available.

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“The iMac with Built-in VESA Mount Adapter is ready to pair with your favorite VESA-compatible wall mount, desk mount, or articulating arm (sold separately). This iMac doesn’t include a stand, so a mount is required. If you don’t already have a mount, you can purchase one when you configure your iMac.”

The VESA models are not highly advertised on Apple’s Online Store, and are nowhere to be seen on the main product page, though a link at the bottom of the iMac configuration tool will take customers to a webpage dedicated to the new versions.

Apple is charging a $40 premium for the ability to use VESA mounts with the iMac. The special configuration is on sale now with shipping estimates starting at 7 to 10 days.

Mac, News/Rumors

MacBook Pro beats Windows 8 laptops in Battery life Test

The 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro beat 18 Windows 8 laptops in a battery-life test conducted by Which?, the UK consumer test organization with a reputation for the most detailed testing in the industry.

In the web-browsing test where most laptops performed best, the Acer Aspire M5-581T was the longest-lasting Windows 8 machine at 358 minutes, while the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro lasted 30 minutes longer. The Which? test was primarily aimed at comparing Windows 8 machines, but they included two non-Windows machines as a contrast. The MacBook Pro topped the list, while a Samsung Series 3 Chromebook came out in the middle of the pack at 224 minutes.

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The longest running Windows 8 laptop for web browsing is the Acer Aspire timeline Ultra M5-581T – a 15.6″ screen, 2.1kg ultrabook. It lasted almost six hours on battery – enough to get you to from London to Middlesbrough and back – and fell 30 minutes shy of the battery life of the 13″ Apple Macbook Pro Retina, but costs around £500 less.

If you switch to watching movies from the Acer’s hard disk, you’d get four hours and 37 minutes of movie viewing time – a little over an hour less than the Macbook. Similar to Consumer Reports in the United States, Which? is known for scientific approach and detail in its testing. For example, product testers hook up laptops to lab gear to measure power consumption, use thermal imaging systems to measure heat and use light-measurement kits to test screen brightness. PC manufacturers still have a long way to run to match the MacBook Pro.

Apple TV, News/Rumors

Tweaked Apple TV uses Die-Shrunk A5 and not A5X

Back in late January, an update to the Apple TV software revealed a new “AppleTV3,2″, with FCC documents for the device showing up the following day. By digging into the software files for this new device, it was discovered that the device appeared to be using an A5X chip rather than the single-core A5 chip found in the third-generation Apple TV.
This conclusion was based on the chip carrying an identifier of S5L8947 compared to the S5L8945 seen on the original A5X. A similar move was made when Apple rolled out a die shrink of the A5 in the third-generation Apple TV last year, shifting from the original S5L8940 to the smaller S5L8942.

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According to Apple, this latest Apple TV update was designed to be invisible to users, offering no changes in features. Apple’s tweaked third-generation Apple TV, which carries a part number of A1469 compared to an A1427 part number for the original version, has now begun making its way into Apple’s retail store stocks, and we have purchased one and cracked it open to examine its internals.
Most notably, the tweaked third-generation Apple TV does not contain an A5X chip. Instead, it contains an A5 chip like its predecessor, although the new chip is considerably smaller than the previous one. The original A5 chip introduced in 2011 for the iPad 2 was built on a 45-nanometer process, measuring 10.09 mm by 12.15 mm, while the first die-shrunk A5 introduced in 2012 for the third-generation Apple TV and the tweaked iPad 2 measured 41% smaller at 8.19 mm by 8.68 mm.
This new A5 found in the tweaked third-generation Apple TV is considerably smaller still, with our measurements putting the chip at just 6 mm by 6 mm. We do not know for sure what Apple is using to produce this even smaller A5, but it is very possible that the company is piloting a 28-nanometer process from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for this new chip. Such a move would be a major development, making this A5 the first iOS device processor to be manufactured by a company other than Samsung. Samsung is also moving to a 28-nanometer process for its fab in Austin, Texas where it produces chips for Apple, but the facility will reportedly not be ready for mass production at that scale until late this year. TSMC has been rumored to be coming on board for A6X chip production for the current iPad, as well as for future chips using even smaller processes.

iPod, News/Rumors

iPod earphones next on NYC Mayor’s health hit list

After launching campaigns against the Big Gulp, “big” salt and “big” junk food, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is embarking on a new target.

He wants to stop New Yorkers from going deaf, so he’s put in motion an attack on ear buds, CBS 2’s Marcia Kramer reported Wednesday. Now hear this … there’s a new enemy of the nanny state: people who choose to listen to loud music on their favorite devices. Bloomberg, who apparently has never met a health crusade he didn’t think worthy of embarking on, is launching a campaign to warn people about the risks of losing their hearing from blasting music on their headphones.

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The initiative is aimed at the iPod generation, the people who were the first to put buds directly into their ears. Officials say an iPod reaches 115 decibels at maximum volume. Doctors say sound has to be below 85 decibels to be safe. One doctor told CBS 2’s Kramer the mayor’s initiative is a good one.
“There is a real threat for noise exposure ruining hearing. This will occur gradually over time. But what you’re looking at is a series of young people that may be experiencing hearing loss and the need for hearing aids at a much earlier age than any of their family members,” said Dr. Jayde Steckowych of New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Presbyterian Center.
“I’m seeing a whole host of young teenagers who are coming in with early signs of noise-induced hearing loss,” audiologist Dr. Won Choe of ENT& Allergy told WCBS 880′s Wayne Cabot. “These kids are bombarded by media.” Choe said earbuds like the ones that come with many Apple products seem to be most damaging. Choe, who is not involved with the city effort, said the more expensive noise-cancelling headphones are better for the user’s hearing and are recommended for those who are listening to personal music devices while commuting.
The audiologist said people standing nearby should not be able to hear what you are listening to in your headphones. “That’s just incredible amounts of noise exposure,” Choe said. Experts say hearing loss increased 30 percent among teenagers and young adults between 1988 and 2006. But not everyone is thrilled about the mayor’s get-rid-of-the-ear-buds health initiative.

Mac, News/Rumors

MacBook Pros fan speed issue

Apple’s newly refreshed MacBook Pro models with Retina displays may be affected by an issue that causes the cooling fan speed to unexpectedly spike, users say. Apparent problems with the latest Retina MacBook Pros were first highlighted this week by Geek.com. Users have also taken to a growing thread at the Apple Support Communities forum, where numerous Retina MacBook Pro owners say their system’s fan will unexpectedly spin up to full speed while doing basic tasks, then will return to normal.

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The user who started the thread, “jamezmbp,” said they attempted to reset their computer, repair disk permissions, and even ran an Apple Hardware Test, all of which did not resolve the problem.

“It could be something to do with the SSD, as when I am making file transfers the fans kick up, without the temps increasing,” they wrote in one post. “The fans also kick up at other times, but I’ve noticed it when making file transfers also.”

YouTube user “oyinko” believes the issue may lie with the new Sandisk solid-state drive being used by Apple in its latest MacBook Pros. Apple made the switch from SSDs built by rival Samsung to Sandisk, and the change may have caused a conflict in fan management.

Those posting at Apple’s official support forums say they believe the problem could be fixed with a software update. However, customers have had varying success obtaining information from Apple support officials, and some have received replacement hardware in an effort to address the issue. Apple surprised last month when it refreshed its MacBook Pro with Retina display models with slightly faster processors and lower prices. The new models are between 3 and 5 percent faster than their predecessors, but are priced up to $200 cheaper.