Apple Music Snapchat Account Takes Users Behind the Scenes of Beats 1 Radio

Apple today announced a Snapchat account for Apple Music that initially provides a behind-the-scenes look at Beats 1 Radio and its personalities while also showing off segments of the cities it operates from with some music playing in the background. It’s unknown what kind of content the account will provide in the future.

The account’s first Snapchat “story”, which is the combination of multiple photos and videos taken throughout its first day of operation, takes followers on a journey from Beats 1’s Los Angeles HQ with Zane Lowe, watching as he works on his show before it switches to London and fellow DJ Julie Adenuga. After watching Adenuga work, the account changes course to Ebro Darden in New York City.

The account provides an interesting look into the work environments of Beats 1’s three DJs, with each of them showing off their equipment and enthusiasm for the music they’re playing. Adenuga’s segment includes her teasing an interview with musical artist Ellie Goulding, answering questions and letting users know they should check out the For You tab of Apple Music. The Snapchat story, which currently sits at 184 seconds, is being updated periodically throughout the day.

Apple has thus far taken a very liberal approach to using social media to draw awareness to Apple Music, heavily using Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr to tease and announce exclusive music, interviews and music videos. Snapchat, whose users tend to be younger, is yet another progression of that effort. Snapchat users can follow Apple Music on the service by adding “applemusic” as a friend.

First Volkswagen Cars With CarPlay Support Arriving at Dealerships

Volkswagen today announced that its first 2016 cars with CarPlay support are arriving at dealerships this week, equipped with the company’s next-generation CarPlay-enabled MIB-II infotainment system.

In addition to supporting CarPlay, the MIB-II system also includes support for Android Auto and it comes equipped with Volkswagen’s own Car-Net apps, enabling features like remote lock control, remote honk and flash, parking info, stolen vehicle location, automatic crash notifications, diagnostics, and vehicle monitoring. While CarPlay and the MIB-II system don’t carry a subscription fee, the Car-Net suite of apps will be priced at $199 per year with 6 months free up front.

Volkswagen was not one of the first CarPlay partners announced during CarPlay’s debut, but the manufacturer promised CarPlay support in its 2016 models back in January. According to Volkswagen, most of its 2016 models will include the new MIB-II system, aside from entry-level models.

Four different MIB-II systems with CarPlay will be offered, varying based on model and trim package. Entry-level VW models include a 5-inch resistive 400×240 resolution touch screen that does not include CarPlay support, while 6.3 and 6.5-inch capacitive touchscreens that support multi-touch gestures, CarPlay, and App-Net will be available in select trims.

Higher trim levels will include additional features like 2.5D navigation, electric vehicle functions, and more, while the 2016 e-Golf SEL Premium model alone will receive an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with CarPlay support.

The first 2016 Volkswagen models, the Golf R and the Tiguan, are already arriving in dealer showrooms as of late July, and additional models will be released with the MIB-II system and CarPlay support later in the year.

Apple Campus 2 Visitor Center Will Include Cafe, Store and Rooftop Observation Deck

Apple is planning to build a visitor’s center on its new “spaceship” campus, which will include a rooftop observation deck that overlooks the main building, a cafe, and a 10,114 square-foot store where visitors will be able to “view and purchase the newest Apple products.”

The structure, like many of Apple’s retail stores, will be made of glass with a carbon fiber roof and large skylights. Stairs and elevators will take visitors up to the viewing deck, where the ring-shaped building housing Apple employees will be visible. Apple’s current campus included a now-closed store that sold Apple-branded apparel and sundries, but a dedicated visitor’s center with a store selling Apple products will be a new addition.

Rendering of the Visitor’s Center from original documents submitted to the City of CupertinoDetails on the visitor’s center were found by Silicon Valley Business Journal in documents that were filed with the city of Cupertino back in April. Previous approvals for the campus included mention of a visitor’s center in a glass building, but details on the interior of the building were not available until this year.

According to the plans, Apple aims for the visitor’s center at 10700 N. Tantau to “create a public face of the Apple Campus 2 that reflects Apple’s business and design practices, and allows for a long-term presence in Cupertino.” (Neighbors will be glad to know that a screen will block views onto an adjacent single-family-home community.) Parking will be mostly below grade with 684 spaces, with elevators taking visitors into the center.

Construction on Apple’s second campus is still underway. Video footage shot in June suggests the foundation has been finished, with the first walls of the ring-shaped structure going up. Work on a nearby underground parking facility is also nearing completion. Apple is planning to finish construction on the main building in late 2016.

When complete, the new campus will feature a 2.8 million square foot ring-shaped main building, an underground aprking lot, a 100,000 square foot fitness center, and a 120,000 square foot 1,000-seat auditorium for hosting events, and the newly-described visitor’s center.