Apple Shares Gift Guide Featuring Apple TV, iPad Pro, Beats and More
Apple has posted a holiday gift guide on its website featuring the new Apple TV, iPad Pro, iPhone 6s, Apple Watch, Retina MacBook, iTunes gift cards, apps, accessories and more. The buying guide is split into six categories: gaming, photography, music, fitness, learning and travel.
The gaming section is centered upon the new Apple TV, iPhone 6s, iPad Air 2, iPod touch, and related apps and accessories available for each device, including the SteelSeries Nimbus and Gamevice controllers, Guitar Hero Live, Beats Studio wireless headphones and more. Apple also features a trio of drones by Parrot and Sphero.
The photography section features the iPhone 6s, iPad Pro, Retina MacBook and accessories like the Olloclip Active Lens, JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Video tripod, MeFOTO Sidekick360 adapter, Shure MOTIV MV5 microphone and HISY Camera Remote. Featured apps include Darkroom, VSCO, Instagram and iMovie.
The music section features the iPhone 6s, Retina MacBook, Apple Music on Apple TV, Apogee MiC microphone, IK Multimedia iRig Pads music controller, Beats Studio wireless headphones, Beats Pill+ speakers, B&O BeoPlay A2 speakers, Apple Music gift cards, GarageBand and more.
The fitness section features the Apple Watch Sport, iPhone 6s and accessories like the Wahoo Fitness KICKR SNAP cycling trainer, Beats Powerbeats2 earphones, Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor, Apple EarPods, Incase iPhone 6s armband and more. Featured apps include Strava and Nike+ Running.
The learning section highlights the iPad Air 2, Apple TV, Retina MacBook and iPod touch, and educational apps such as the iWork suite, Star Walk Kids and Plants by Tinybop. Featured accessories include the Sphero SPRK, Osmo Genius Kit, Twelve South BookArc stand, LaCie Fuel external hard drive and more.
The travel section features the Apple Watch, iPad mini 4, new Apple TV and accessories.
Apple offers free shipping in the United States during the holidays.
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Microsoft brings its time-lapse video stabilizer app to Mac
When Microsoft first released its Hyperlapse video editing app, it wasn’t clear whether it would ever become available for Apple’s devices. The mystery has finally been solved: Redmond has just launched Hyperlapse Pro for Mac, which can process footage captured using phones, GoPros and other cameras. It has the capability to stabilize time-lapses, even shaky ones taken from first person POV, and users can choose their speed, resolution and frame rate. The desktop app will cost you $50, but Microsoft principal program manager Josh Weisberg is confident that the product can compete with similar software. “The Mac has some great video editing tools a lot of enthusiasts and professionals use, and there are other time lapse applications out there,” he said, “But nothing as smooth and sophisticated as Hyperlapse Pro.” That said, you can try it out for free, so long as you’re cool with seeing watermarks on your videos.
Source: Next at Microsoft, Microsoft Store
Leak says deca-core Mediatek Helio X30 will feature Cortex A35 cores
Having been known to manufacture processors for budget and mid-range devices, MediaTek is finally gearing up to make its presence felt among high-end segment too. Rumor has it that the company is already set to announce the successor to the world’s first deca-core chipset, the X20, which is yet to hit the market.
If latest reports are to be believed, the Helio X20 would feature the same cluster design as previously seen on the Helio X20. The deca-core chipset is said to include four 2.5 GHz Cortex A72 cores, two 2.0 GHz Cortex A72 cores, two 1.5 GHz Cortex A53 cores and two Cortex A35 cores clocked at 1.0 GHz.
It will be interesting to see the real life performance of a deca-core processor, especially at a time when reducing the number of cores is an ongoing trend. If you remember Apple’s A9X is a dual-core chipset against the previous generation A8X’s tri-core. Even Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 comprises of quad cores in comparison to quad-cores of the Snapdragon 810.
Now the question is, whether sticking with the tri-cluster design will help MediaTek compete against seasoned players such as Qualcomm and Samsung’s Exynos or not.
Source: Mydrivers.com
Via: Gizmo China
Come comment on this article: Leak says deca-core Mediatek Helio X30 will feature Cortex A35 cores
New Apple Store Opens in Chengdu on November 21 as Hiring Begins for Singapore Location
Apple, continuing its aggressive retail expansion in China, has announced that it will be opening its 22nd retail store in the country in Chengdu, a major city in Sichuan Province, on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 AM local time. The new store is slated to open less than a month after the grand opening of the 21st Apple Store in China in the major port city of Dalian on October 24.
Taikoo Li shops in Chengdu, China, where an Apple Store will open November 21
The new Chengdu store will be located in the upscale Taikoo Li shopping plaza at 8 Middle Shamao Street in the Jinjiang District, where several high-end retailers such as Gap, Gucci, Omega and Zara are located. The store will be open 10 AM-10 PM local time everyday and offer traditional Apple Store services, including the Genius Bar, Workshops, JointVenture, events and seminars.
Apple is now hiring for its first retail store in Singapore, expected to open in 2016
Apple has also posted new job listings for its first retail store in Singapore, which is rumored to open in late 2016 at the Knightsbridge four-story luxury shopping center. The company is looking for Specialists, Geniuses, Creatives, Business Specialists and other traditional Apple Store positions.
Apple does not currently have an official retail presence in Singapore, a large city-state and country south of Malaysia in Southeast Asia, but the Apple Online Store and dozens of Apple Authorized Resellers operate in the region. The closest physical Apple Stores are located several hours away in Australia and Hong Kong.
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Apple Highlights iPad Pro-Enhanced Apps and Games In New Featured Sections in App Store
As the new iPad Pro makes its way into the hands of customers, Apple has debuted two new featured sections in the App Store to highlight apps and games that are either enhanced for the device or take advantage of its larger screen.
The first section, “Amazing Apps for iPad Pro, is split into five subcategories: Enhanced for Apple Pencil, Desktop-Class Apps, Powerful Multitasking, Unleash Your Creativity, Bigger with a Bigger Screen and Immersive Experiences. Apple says the section includes Apple’s favorite apps “that take advantage of its expansive Retina display and astounding experiences.”
The second section, “Great Games for iPad Pro”, is split into three subcategories: Gorgeous Games, Fantastic Sounds and Big Screen, Big Fun. Apple says the section will help iPad Pro owners “get started with games whose breathtaking graphics, spectacular sound, and immersive features create incredible experiences.”
Limited quantities of the iPad Pro are available at Apple Retail Stores in multiple countries with Personal Pickup available in U.S. locations. Online, 32 GB variants in any color are available for delivery on Monday while other configurations are available for delivery in late November. Smart Covers and Silicone Cases are well stocked in Apple Stores, but the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard are out of stock or in very limited quantities in stores and are a 4 – 5 week wait online.
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Beats Music confirms it will fade out on November 30th
Now that Apple Music is firmly in place (and even on Android) it’s time for Beats Music to go. An app update back in June greased the skids and an updated support page — as well as emails going out to Sonos users reiterating the Apple Music support is coming soon — notes the shutdown will occur on November 30th. That’s a little over a year after Apple completed its acquisition of the music company, and five months since its replacement first appeared on the scene. If you’re still subscribing then your plan will just cancel, but it’s possible to move picks and preferences to Apple Music right now.
[Thanks, Eddie]
Source: Beats Music
Apple’s Former Beats Music Service Officially Ending on November 30
Apple’s former Beats Music streaming service will be officially shuttered on November 30, 2015, according to a new support document posted today on the Beats Music support site. All existing Beats Music subscriptions will be canceled at that time, with any remaining customers being encouraged to switch over to Apple Music.
Beats Music ends on November 30. Your subscription will be cancelled, but you can move your picks and preferences over to Apple Music right now.
All the pros that curated music for you are still crafting more amazing experiences. Plus, on Apple Music, you’ll get even better recommendations based on music you already listen to and love, 24/7 global radio with Beats 1, exciting material from your favorite artist, and more.
Sonos is also sending out emails to customers letting them know the Beats Music service is ending on November 30. Apple Music currently does not work with the Sonos system, but support is in the works and slated to launch before the end of 2015. Sonos is advising its users to move their Beats Music accounts to Apple Music to save their playlists.
Beats Music subscribers on iOS were largely transitioned to Apple Music when the Apple Music service first launched, and with the launch of the Apple Music app for Android devices, Android users can also transition to a fully functional Apple Music app.
The final closure of Beats Music comes as no surprise now that it’s been folded into Apple Music. The Beats Music service has not accepted new subscribers since Apple Music launched in June.
(Thanks, Lou!)
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First Alert Debuts HomeKit-Enabled Onelink Smoke Alarm
First Alert has created the first HomeKit-enabled smoke alarm, today introducing the Onelink Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with HomeKit integration (via The Verge. Similar to the Nest Protect, the Onelink Smoke Alarm is able to detect smoke and carbon monoxide, sending alerts to a user’s iPhone.
Through the iPhone app, the Onelink Smoke Alarm is able to test the viability of a smoke detector, notify users when an alarm goes off while they’re away, and silence alarms that have been set off accidentally. It’s also able to toggle a built-in nightlight (hardwire version only) on and off and each connected alarm will go off whenever one detects something harmful, directing users towards the problem with voice alerts.
With HomeKit integration, users can ask Siri to dim the nightlight or check for smoke or carbon monoxide alerts. The Onelink Smoke Alarm comes with a built-in battery that cannot be replaced and lasts for 10 years, putting an end to low battery alerts in home smoke alarms. There’s also a hardwire version with a battery backup.
The Onelink Smoke Alarm works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and does not require a central hub. According to The Verge, First Alert will be introducing additional HomeKit-enabled devices in 2016, including a safe and a combo carbon monoxide, temperature, and humidity sensor.
The battery-powered Onelink Smoke Alarm is priced at $109 and does not include a nightlight feature, while the hardwired version with a nightlight is priced at $119. The Onelink Smoke Alarm can currently be purchased from the Lowe’s website and will later be available on Amazon and in Apple retail stores.
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App Store’s failed download bug traced to expired security certificate
Numerous Apple customers found themselves unable to download and run Mac apps from the App Store on Wednesday night. It appears the service outage culprit is Apple itself. More specifically, the culprit was an anti-piracy security certificate that Apple issued back in 2010 but which expired last night just before 10 PM GMT. Once developer Paul Haddad spotted the error, however, Apple quickly issued a new certificate to get the store back up and running.
Source: The Register
Review: Brydge Debuts Smaller ‘BrydgeMini’ Keyboard for Older iPad Mini Models
Brydge, a company that sells high-quality keyboards for the iPad, has expanded its keyboard lineup with a new BrydgeMini model designed to work with the iPad mini 1, 2, and 3. With the BrydgeMini, which has been modeled after a MacBook keyboard, the iPad mini turns into a miniature MacBook – albeit with a much more cramped typing surface.
Like all Brydge keyboards, the BrydgeMini is made from aluminum that matches the finish of the iPad. It’s available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, and the build quality is excellent. Brydge charges a lot for its keyboards, but they’re almost always worth the cost. The BrydgeMini isn’t a keyboard case – it’s just a keyboard, with two silicone-lined tabs that hold the iPad mini in place. The BrydgeMini has a limited number of viewing angles as the tabs can be angled forwards or backwards slightly, but due to the design, it can’t be used with the iPad in portrait mode.
The BrydgeMini is identical to the BrydgeAir but has been shrunk down, so if you’ve used a BrydgeAir keyboard, the BrydgeMini will be familiar.
It doesn’t fold backwards to allow the iPad to be used in tablet mode while the keyboard is attached, but it’s easy enough to remove the iPad mini from the tabs. It does fold forward into a clamshell-style design for travel, but in this mode, it’s going to add a lot of bulk to Apple’s littlest tablet. It weighs in at 300 grams or .66 pounds, essentially doubling the weight of the iPad mini. The iPad mini weighs 331 grams or 0.73 pounds.
The BrydgeMini is also quite thick, so when in clamshell mode, it’s going to double the thickness of the iPad mini. It’ll still fit comfortably in a bag or backpack, but it’s definitely negating the slim profile of the iPad.
AIVAnet 