Apple Rebrands iTunes Podcasts as ‘Apple Podcasts’

Apple today has rebranded iTunes Podcasts to be called “Apple Podcasts,” and updated its marketing website for podcasters to learn how the new branding can help promote their shows. Apple Podcasts promo materials now include a new “Listen on Apple Podcasts” badge, while most of the pre-existing graphics standards and podcast identity guidelines remain unchanged.

The rebranding also stretches to the company’s Twitter account, where iTunes Podcasts has now turned into @ApplePodcasts so users can get up-to-date recommendations on the newest and best podcasts right from their Twitter feed. The functionality and look of the official Podcasts iOS app appears to have remained the same for now.

It’s official: iTunes Podcasts is now @ApplePodcasts.

Podcasters, we’ve got a great new badge to help you promote your shows. 💜📻 pic.twitter.com/c9ZWVmSCsq

— Steve Wilson (@StephenWilson) April 13, 2017

The new name falls in line with Apple’s recent decision to place the company’s name in front of the service or product in question — like Apple Music and Apple Pencil — and further distances itself from iTunes. During the Code Media Conference this past February, Eddy Cue admitted that Podcasts are seeing a “huge resurgence,” and that Apple will “absolutely” do more with the medium in the future.

Today’s rebranding could be the first step in that direction for the company.

Tag: Podcasts
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Instagram Stories Now Has More Daily Active Users Than Snapchat

As the competition between Instagram and Snapchat continues to heat up, a new blog post by Instagram today has revealed that the company’s Snapchat clone “Instagram Stories” now has more daily active users than Snapchat itself.

Of its 600 million users, Instagram now has more than 200 million users posting to or interacting with Stories every day, while Snapchat reportedly has around 158 million people using the original ephemeral social networking app, as of the last count. Snapchat’s numbers don’t specifically tie into use of its own “Stories,” and include any interaction with the app, from text messaging to video calls.

That last Snapchat update centered on data related to the fourth quarter of 2016, so it’s likely those numbers are higher, but the growth of Instagram Stories in less than a year is quite noticeable.

Facebook’s copying of Snapchat in Instagram has gone far better than the same plan that the company recently enacted within Facebook itself, called Facebook Stories. Following a weak launch, the company updated its iOS app to make it look as if people were posting to Facebook Stories, when in fact they weren’t.

In more general update news, users on Instagram Stories can now create “Selfie Stickers” to post on their Story, which can also be pinned to specific places within videos. Today’s app update also makes it easier to get to your favorite stickers, includes simplified video controls, and comes with new geostickers for Chicago, London, Madrid and Tokyo.

Tags: Instagram, Snapchat
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NHL Coaches Provided With iPad Pros During 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Apple has partnered with the National Hockey League to provide coaches with iPad Pros for use behind the bench during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which began on Wednesday, as reported by The Associated Press.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock (Image: Sportsnet)
All sixteen NHL teams that qualified for the playoffs have up to three iPad Pros available to them to review plays. The real-time video footage will help players make shift-by-shift adjustments during games, while coaches can better decide when to challenge offside or goaltender interference calls, aka a Coach’s Challenge.

“By the time the player gets off his shift, that content is available within a minute, I guess, from the time it actually took place,” NHL executive vice-president and chief technology officer Peter DelGiacco said. “Today generally speaking a lot of that would be done between periods and there’s a limited amount of time. … This kind of gives the coaches and the players real-time access so that they can make adjustments.”

The arenas of all sixteen NHL teams that qualified for the playoffs have also been outfitted with Macs for video coaches as part of the collaboration with Apple.

The NHL’s plans to outfit arenas with iPads and other Apple products were revealed by Canadian sports network TSN in December.

Tag: NHL
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Hulu’s Live TV Service Will Reportedly Cost $39.99/Month, With $20 Cloud DVR Add-On

Although Hulu’s new live TV bundle is set to launch before spring is over, details about the service have been noticeably scant ahead of the its launch. Today, sources speaking with TechCrunch who have knowledge of Hulu’s plans have claimed that the new cord-cutting bundle will cost subscribers exactly $39.99 per month, which comes in right under Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins’ promise of a bundle that would cost users “under $40” per month.

The price of the service’s add-on cloud DVR feature has also been detailed, which will reportedly cost users $20 each month to gain extensive video recording functionality. Subscribers to Hulu’s base $39.99 package will have a limited DVR feature (small storage space, no fast-forwarding), but Hulu’s alleged $20 DVR add-on package would include “unlimited” storage capped at 200 hours of programming as well as allow for fast-forwarding.

The live TV service will allow for a certain amount of recording and storage space in its base package – a feature that’s quickly becoming a standard offering for these types of businesses. But this recording space will not be a fully functional DVR, as it will not support fast-forwarding.

However, Hulu is considering an add-on package to its live TV service that will include an unlimited DVR with up to 200 hours of programming, as well as unlimited streams. (There may be a cap on concurrent streams outside the home, though – we’ve heard three.)

This add-on bundle will allow users to optionally upgrade their live TV service with the cloud DVR and unlimited streams, and will be priced under $20 per month, sources tell us.

Concurrent streaming on devices in the same home is said to be capped at three, and that number may lessen for users who don’t opt-in for the cloud DVR bundle. In total, the Hulu Live TV bundle would cost upwards of $60 on the high-end, which does still come in under most low- to medium-level traditional cable packages. Subscribers currently using Hulu’s $7.99/month or $11.99/month (ad-free) on-demand options will simply have to pay the difference of an upgrade to the live TV service when it launches.

Reports about included channels have been circulated in the past — including CBS and NBC — but the look of the specific channel bundle that will be on offer, and if there might be more than one tier, remains a mystery. Most packages, like DirecTV Now, give users tiers ranging from $35/month to $70/month to access more channels. In the original rumor, Disney and Fox were floated as potential partners with Hulu’s service, and Time Warner’s stable of channels will also help bolster the channels available to subscribers.

Although the cord-cutting bundle options have become plentiful in the past few years, ranging from Sling TV to Playstation Vue to DirecTV Now, Hulu’s alternative will be interesting as the first to combine live television with exclusive video on-demand options. One of the most important aspects of Hulu’s bundle — its actual launch date — has yet to be rumored, but the company has until June 20 to debut the service before the end of spring.

Tag: Hulu
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Want to record your iPhone or iPad screen? Here’s how to do it on Mac and Windows

So you want to record your iPad or iPhone screen? Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that there are programs available that allow you to do this. The bad news is that there are no iOS apps that can record your iOS device’s screen. Apple does not allow screen recording apps in the App Store, so you’ll have to find a program that can do this for you. But don’t worry, because we’re here to help.

More: How to mirror your smartphone or tablet on your TV

Mac users will have the easiest time recording their iPhone or iPad screens because they can use Quicktime, while Windows users will have to rely on third-party programs. Some of these third-party programs are more feature rich than Quicktime, so in some circumstances Mac users can also benefit from going this route.

Record your iPhone or iPad on a Mac with Quicktime

The easiest way to record your iOS device’s screen on a Mac is simply to plug it in, open Quicktime, and record from there. Apple has ended support for Quicktime on Windows, and you won’t be able to do this on a Windows computer anyway. We’ve already had a warning from the Department of Homeland Security to uninstall Quicktime from Windows, so installing this program on a Windows computer is not something we would recommend. This iPhone screen recording method is the easiest, but it is only for Mac users.

QuickTime for Mac

Step 1: Plug in your iOS device to your Mac and open Quicktime.

Step 2: Go to File > New Movie Recording.

Step 3: Click the arrow  next to the Record button.

Step 4: Choose the device that you want to record.

Step 5: Click the Record button to start recording your iOS device’s screen.

That’s all there is to recording an iPad or iPhone screen with Quicktime on a Mac. It will detect whether you have your device in portrait mode or landscape and record the screen accordingly.

Want to record your iPhone or iPad screen? Here’s how to do it on Mac and Windows

So you want to record your iPad or iPhone screen? Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that there are programs available that allow you to do this. The bad news is that there are no iOS apps that can record your iOS device’s screen. Apple does not allow screen recording apps in the App Store, so you’ll have to find a program that can do this for you. But don’t worry, because we’re here to help.

More: How to mirror your smartphone or tablet on your TV

Mac users will have the easiest time recording their iPhone or iPad screens because they can use Quicktime, while Windows users will have to rely on third-party programs. Some of these third-party programs are more feature rich than Quicktime, so in some circumstances Mac users can also benefit from going this route.

Record your iPhone or iPad on a Mac with Quicktime

The easiest way to record your iOS device’s screen on a Mac is simply to plug it in, open Quicktime, and record from there. Apple has ended support for Quicktime on Windows, and you won’t be able to do this on a Windows computer anyway. We’ve already had a warning from the Department of Homeland Security to uninstall Quicktime from Windows, so installing this program on a Windows computer is not something we would recommend. This iPhone screen recording method is the easiest, but it is only for Mac users.

QuickTime for Mac

Step 1: Plug in your iOS device to your Mac and open Quicktime.

Step 2: Go to File > New Movie Recording.

Step 3: Click the arrow  next to the Record button.

Step 4: Choose the device that you want to record.

Step 5: Click the Record button to start recording your iOS device’s screen.

That’s all there is to recording an iPad or iPhone screen with Quicktime on a Mac. It will detect whether you have your device in portrait mode or landscape and record the screen accordingly.

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers make paid apps free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money, and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

More: 200 Awesome iPhone Apps | The best Android apps for almost any occasion

ShoppingList

ShoppingList is simply designed for the iPhone and iOS and is focused on user-friendliness. You can immediately use it without having to study a manual.

Available on:

iOS

Daily Steps

Glorified step counting has come to the iPhone and Apple Watch. Daily Steps takes advantage of new iPhone features to make keeping on top of your step count as easy as can be.

Available on:

iOS

OrasisHD

OrasisHD is a 1-shot HDR app. It takes an image and automatically transforms it to a well-exposed, natural-looking photo, simulating the way your eyes perceived the scenery at the moment the photo was taken.

Available on:

iOS

Stress Guide

Developed by stress experts, the app measures and analyzes your daily stress level with the iPhone camera and gives you personalized tips on how to cope with stress.

Available on:

iOS

Breathe Pro

Breathe Pro: Professional breathing training course. Breathe in and out to relax with gorgeous scenes from around the world and measure your stress resistance with your iPhone camera.

Available on:

iOS

iPlayTo

Play photos, videos, and music from your iPhone/iPad to DLNA devices such as your Smart TV, AV Device, Sound Box, PC, or other phone.

Available on:

iOS

Moshi’s iPhone 7 Kameleon case has a kickstand that lets you go hands-free

If you consume a lot of media on your iPhone 7, then you know the struggle to view streaming content hands-free is real. Setting your phone down to watch a video means either hunching over it like a Neanderthal or propping it up against your coffee mug, which always manages to slide down and fall flat right after you’ve found the perfect balance. That’s where a kickstand case like Moshi’s Kameleon comes in handy.

The Kameleon has a simple but elegant exterior backed with vegan leather and wrapped in a brushed aluminum bumper, with a matching metal kickstand on the back. It’s available in two colors combinations: white leather with gold metal or black leather with rose gold metal. The kickstand sticks out from the case when it’s closed, which might be a dealbreaker if you prefer one that’s perfectly flush. However, the protrusion wasn’t too obtrusive when holding the phone, and only on a handful of occasions did it get snagged on something like the edge of a pocket.

More: Check out 26 of the best iPhone 7 cases and covers for your shiny new phone

The sizable kickstand opens with a satisfying click and stays open on a spring hinge. It’s positioned to support the phone upright in both portrait and landscape so you can Skype, FaceTime, or watch Netflix without getting a hand cramp. On a level surface, the kickstand is reliably stable; the one exception is if you bump it while in portrait, then the phone is prone to tipping over. Luckily the case is more than equipped to protect it.

The Kameleon provides multiple layers of protection starting with the aforementioned aluminum bumper which is wrapped around a hard plastic outer shell and shock-absorbent TPU inner layer. The inside of the case is lined with a soft microfiber that keeps scratches off the back of your phone where it makes contact with the case. On the front, it has just enough of a raised edge to keep your phone’s screen off flat surfaces and avoid scratches. As with many of Moshi’s cases, the Kameleon exceeds military-grade drop testing standards for protection that doesn’t compromise on style.

The cutouts on the back of the case allow unobstructed use of the camera and show off the Apple logo but the extra opening could potentially be an entry point for dust and debris getting between the case and the phone. During calls the mic quality wasn’t adversely affected by the case nor was the audio from the speakerphone. The covers over the volume and sleep buttons were also easy to press allowing for full functionality for all exterior buttons. We like that the cutout for the Lightning port is a bit wider than on some other cases we’ve tried, allowing for greater compatibility with third-party cables, docks, and accessories.

The Kameleon case’s premium looks come with a premium price, though we think for the durability and functionality it offers, it’s well worth it.

Areo is a new app in India that combines food delivery with on-demand services

Why it matters to you

Why use two different apps for your meal delivery and your on-demand services? Areo combines both.

Android users in India are about to see their lives change. Well, perhaps it’s not quite that earth-shattering, but a new Google app ought to make its users’ lives a lot easier in that country. It’s called Areo, and it’s a new platform for all things on-demand. From food delivery to service provision, there’s nothing you can’t get from Areo, and it’s being launched exclusively in Bangalore and Mumbai in India (at least for the time being).

As first reported by Android Soul, Areo boasts a number of features that will make ordering your dinner as easy as pie. With a single tap, you can send for your next meal after searching by dish or restaurant, or filtering by categories like dietary restrictions.

But Areo doesn’t want you to just stop there — instead, while you’re ordering your food, why not order someone to come and do your chores as well? You can check out services provided from electricians, painters, cleaners, plumbers, and more, directly from the app. When you’re ready to book an appointment, you can check out using the same flow as you would for the food ordering process.

Of course, the app is still very much in its nascent stages, as IBTimes pointed out in its recent trial run. Noting that both the food and house services sections offered “only a few service providers and vendors,” the U.K.-based publication did point out that Areo is quite easy to use (even if there’s not much to use it for just yet). And as more and more vendors join the platform, it certainly seems like an app with the potential to take off.

Indeed, more and more American tech companies have been releasing lightweight versions of their apps to reach users in India, perhaps the largest developing market in the world. Google-owned YouTube recently unveiled its stripped-down app, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have made similar moves in recent months as well.

How is your Google Pixel holding up?

How well has your Google Pixel survived you?

I don’t like using a case with my phone, and more often than not this decision means I pay a fairly hefty price in the look and feel of my phone over time. Most of that is because I’m also pretty clumsy, and generally speaking that’s a bad combination. But this also gives me a decent look at how my personal phone holds up daily abuse over extended periods of time, and for the last six months that phone has been Google’s Pixel XL in Quite Black.

Here’s what I’ve found when I take a closer look at this phone.

Read more: Our favorite cases for the Google Pixel

Scratches and paint chips

Lets start with the most obvious damage, the stuff that would be there on every phone no matter what. This phone is covered in scratches, with little flecks of paint missing all over the edges. My phone has shared a pocket with keys, taken more than a couple tumbles off of my dresser and night stand, and has met the pavement at least twice while out and about. Scratches are expected at this point, and while you have to really look to notice any serious damage on the front glass, the back of this phone looks like it survived a warzone.

It couldn’t be more obvious that the front and back glass on this phone are not made of the same stuff. This rear glass, which only exists as a way to ensure NFC and wireless radios work without issue, doesn’t offer much in the way of visual aesthetic to begin with. The front, on the other hand, has some slight rubbing marks on the bottom corners, but only in the bezel area far from the actual display. The one scratch that is clearly visible on the display is only noticeable in direct sunlight, and it’s off to the far right edge of the screen so it doesn’t impact the ability to use the phone at all.

Light scratches started showing up on the back of this phone within the first week of use, so this is about what I expected after the six month mark. My biggest concern here is a scratch coming across the camera lens, which so far hasn’t happened. The camera is under the same glass as the rest of the phone, so it seems like one of those things that will eventually happen to this phone if the phone falls in the wrong way. That fall would almost have to be directly on the lens for that to happen, so it’s probably not a real concern.

As for the paint chips, the good news is most of them are entirely cosmetic. Despite all of the drops this phone has seen, there are no noticeable dents and only two scrapes I can actually feel with my finger as I run it across the phone. The rest of the visual damage isn’t deep enough to indicate any damage to the inside of the phone, which is awesome. It speaks to the superior build quality here, and is a solid indicator that Google went with the right company to do its manufacturing.

Pardon my splotch

This is by far the weirdest “damage” I’ve ever had on a phone, and I’m not the only one to notice this particular issue. For whatever reason, the oleophobic layer in the top right corner of this phone has worn away in this odd stain pattern. It’s almost like I dropped some kind of acidic jelly on this corner of the phone, and it sat there just long enough to eat away at the microscopic layer on this glass that pushes away oils from your skin.

Whatever causes this particular issue, it’s unique to the Pixel.

That didn’t actually happen, of course, but the stain is there all the same. It’s only visible when I’ve run my finger across it and deposited oil on the glass. When I wipe away smudges with a microfiber cloth, that stain goes away entirely until I touch that area again. That corner typically requires a little more polish than the rest of the front of the phone, but after it looks fine. I’ve taken dozens of photos of the front of this phone where that splotch is completely gone, but every couple of days it returns.

The most bizarre part of this stain existing is not being able to explain how it got there. I don’t pick the phone up from that corner, there’s nothing about my day to day activities that causes me to interact with that corner, and I haven’t spilled anything on the phone or used any cleaners I wasn’t supposed to use. Most of it isn’t even on the display, but up in the bezel.

I’m not the only one with this particular splotch on my Pixel, but I am the only one I’ve spoken to with this splotch located where it is. Most others have variants of this issue on the bottom corners of the phone, but it’s never the exact same pattern and not usually in the exact same place. Whatever causes this particular issue, it’s unique to the Pixel and once you notice it you tend to never leave your house without a microfiber cloth.

What about your Pixel?

Despite the many cosmetic issues my Pixel has, it’s still holding up incredibly well and that’s what is important. This is a solid phone that may or may not have a weird oleophobic problem, which is great news for anyone looking at what might come with the Pixel 2 later this year.

Before you drop into the comments to scold me for not using a case or skin, which isn’t going to accomplish anything because I know what I’m doing isn’t great for the phone and I’m not going to stop, I invite you to take a real close look at your Pixel and tell me what you see. Look at the places around the edges of your case, especially that back glass, and share what if any damage you see.

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

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