Apple Seeds Second iOS 9.2 Beta to Developers
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 9.2 to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the first iOS 9.2 beta and two weeks after releasing iOS 9.1 to the public.
The new iOS 9.2 beta, build 13C5060d, is available as an over-the-air update and through the Apple Developer Center.
The first beta of iOS 9.2 introduced some changes for the Safari View Controller within apps, letting it work more like the standard Safari app with support for third-party Action Extensions and the ability to long tap on the Reload button to reload content without content blockers or request desktop site.
iOS 9.2 also includes a number of bug fixes and performance enhancements, many of which are under-the-hood improvements. Thus far no other outward-facing changes have been discovered, but updates in the second beta will be listed below if found.
Bug Fixes in iOS 9.2 Beta 2:
– Un-paring and re-pairing the Apple Watch will no longer cause the Stocks glance to go missing.
– Syncing Music to the Apple Watch has been fixed.
– An issue impacting audio quality when playing audio over USB in some car stereos has been fixed.
– A bug with iCloud Keychain has been fixed, so users should no longer see “Could Not Set Up iCloud Keychain” errors.
– Videos with ‘folw’ track associations will no longer fail yo play on 32-bit devices.
New Features in iOS 9.2 Beta 2:
– It’s now possible to dismiss the Safari View Controller with an edge swipe.
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Apple Seeds Second OS X 10.11.2 El Capitan Beta to Developers
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming OS X 10.11.2 El Capitan update to developers, one week after seeding the first beta and two weeks after releasing the first OS X El Capitan update to the public, OS X 10.11.1.
The new beta, build 15C31f, can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center and through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.
It is not known what improvements the second update to OS X El Capitan will bring, but it’s likely to focus on bug fixes, security enhancements, and performance improvements to address issues that have been discovered since the release of OS X 10.11.1. Apple’s beta 1 release notes asked developers to focus on Graphics, Mail, Wi-Fi, Calendar, USB, Notes, Photos, and Spotlight.
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Apple Releases First Beta of tvOS 9.1
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming update to tvOS, the new operating system that runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV. Today’s tvOS beta marks the first software update to tvOS 9.0, a final version of which was released alongside the new Apple TV.
tvOS betas are not as easy to install as beta updates for iOS and OS X. The update will require the Apple TV to be connected to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the software downloaded and installed via iTunes.
It is not yet clear what is included in the new version of tvOS, but Apple’s release notes for the update include references to networking and scrolling tweaks and we will include any other external facing changes below.
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Apple Patents Switch-Less Force Touch Keyboard, Could Lead to Thinner Macs
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday granted Apple a patent for a low-travel keyboard design with Force Touch-like sensors that measure the pressure placed on a key when a user presses or rests a finger on it.
As summarized by AppleInsider, the exhaustive patent filing details how the keyboard would have a switch-less QWERTY input mechanism, rather than mechanical switches, allowing for less key travel and potentially thinner Mac keyboards.
Apple’s current MacBook and Mac accessory lineups employ modified scissor switches, or butterfly switches on the 12-inch Retina MacBook, nestled within hollow key caps. Today’s patent mirrors the aesthetic of existing designs, but deviates from established technology by replacing mechanical switches for a stack of sensors, actuators and supporting circuitry.
Theoretically the system operates akin to Apple’s Force Touch trackpads, but on a much larger scale; one force sensor package for each keyboard key. Force sensors configured to measure downward pressure are integrated beneath the keyboard’s key caps, while integrated actuators — part of the key stack — generate haptic feedback.
The patent filing does not guarantee that Apple will release a Force Touch keyboard, but a pressure-sensitive keyboard is plausible alongside the Magic Trackpad and Force Touch trackpads on MacBooks.
Apple’s new Retina MacBook has been criticized by some over its all-new butterfly mechanism keyboard, which has low key travel, so whether Apple implements this new keyboard design into the rest of its MacBook lineup remains to be seen.
Apple was granted U.S. Patent No. 9,178,509, and credits Jeffrey T. Bernstein as its inventor.
Tags: Force Touch, patents, keyboard, USPTO
Buyer’s Guide: MacBook Air (Caution), Retina MacBook Pro (Caution), MacBook (Neutral)
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Sam’s Club Announces Holiday Savings Event With iPhone 6s and iPad Air 2 Deals
Sam’s Club today announced its “Lowest Prices of the Season” event, starting in retail locations around the country at 7 A.M. on Saturday, November 14. The company promises that the event will feature deals on “the most sought-after tech, toys and home décor for the holiday season,” which includes the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPad Air 2.
“We’re excited to kick off holiday shopping for our members with our lowest prices of the season event on Saturday, Nov. 14. Our shoppers can feel confident they are getting a great deal on many top gifts, and early enough to plan the rest of their holiday budget,” said Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam’s Club.
“In addition to several savings events, every week, Sam’s Club is rotating new items onto its shelves to help shoppers surprise and delight everyone on their lists. This year we are confident we’re giving our members new ways to save and discover the value of being a member.”
Users who opt-in for Apple’s iPhone 6s or 6s Plus during the event will get a $200 Sam’s Club gift card when activating the phone on any Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T installment plan. The event will also allow customers the option of 2-year plans for Verizon, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular users starting at $99 (16GB for 6s) and $199 (16GB for 6s Plus), but they won’t be eligible for the $200 gift card.
The iPad Air 2 is going on sale as well, with the 64GB and 128GB (available online only) versions marked as $150 off during the event. Sam’s Club is also offering users a slight discount on a packaging of four $25 iTunes gift cards, normally retailing for $100 and going for $79.47 during the event.
Customers who choose to shop exclusively online can get a head start on the Sam’s Club sales on November 14, with all the discount prices opening up to users at 12:01 on Saturday morning and most items shipping free in the United States. The retailer also has a few deals on 4K Smart TVs, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Note5, and various other jewelry and kids’ toys.
In addition to the Lowest Prices of the Season event, Sam’s Club will host a Pre-Black Friday Event on Saturday, November 21 through Wednesday, November 25, focusing on savings on “top brands and Thanksgiving meal essentials.” While it didn’t provide specific sale details just yet, the company noted that Black Friday deals will begin online at 12:01 AM on Thanksgiving Day and start in retail locations Friday, November 27 at 7 AM. Cyber Week specials will follow on Monday, November 30 through December 6.
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Nomad’s ‘Wallet for iPhone’ Provides iPhone 6s With Full Charge on the Go
Nomad today announced a new product, the “Wallet for iPhone,” which hides a small rechargeable battery cell within a traditional billfold wallet. The 2,400 mAh lithium-ion battery is housed in the hinge of the Wallet and promises to provide a full charge to an iPhone 6s. Owners of an iPhone 6 Plus or iPhone 6s Plus will probably only see half the charge of their phone restored due to the smaller battery size of the wallet.
We went to the absolute extreme of lithium-ion battery tech and ultra compact circuit boards to make this an ultra high density battery system. We used an advanced SoC (system on chip) microprocessor and 01005 grade components which allow us to pack a huge 2400mAh battery providing a full charge for your iPhone 6s.
The company claims that the Wallet is no thicker than the average billfold wallet, even when counting the increased weight of a wallet full of credit cards and cash. The normal functions of the wallet allow it to hold six business or credit cards total. Specifically, Nomad gives its dimensions as 25 mm max thickness, 85 mm wide, 125 mm long, which it calls “thinner than most men’s billfolds.”
When users want to charge their iPhone, an integrated 3.5 inch Lightning cable is simply removed and plugged into the device to begin refilling its charge. The Wallet will function with any iPhone supporting a Lightning port, and promises one 100% charge to each device on a full battery. The Wallet itself is recharged via micro USB cable — taking up to two full hours from an empty battery — and four LED lights on its underside show a visual representation of its charge level.
Nomad’s Wallet can be pre-ordered now for $79.99 with a shipping date of November 15, with orders placed from that date on being charged the full retail price of $99.99
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Twitter Rebrands ‘Stars’ & ‘Favorites’ to ‘Hearts’ & ‘Likes’
Twitter today announced the impending rollout of a new “Hearts” and “Likes” system for its social network, which will replace the traditional “Stars” and “Favorites” that’s been used on the service for the past few years. The company cites a “confusing” quality to the star system that causes a disconnect between a new Twitter user and anyone who favorites their tweet. The heart, it believes, is more of a universal symbol of expression and connection.
You can say a lot with a heart. Introducing a new way to show how you feel on Twitter: https://t.co/WKBEmORXNW pic.twitter.com/G4ZGe0rDTP
— Twitter (@twitter) November 3, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
We are changing our star icon for favorites to a heart and we’ll be calling them likes. We want to make Twitter easier and more rewarding to use, and we know that at times the star could be confusing, especially to newcomers. You might like a lot of things, but not everything can be your favorite.
The heart, in contrast, is a universal symbol that resonates across languages, cultures, and time zones. The heart is more expressive, enabling you to convey a range of emotions and easily connect with people. And in our tests, we found that people loved it.
The hearts system will also make its way to the Twitter-owned Vine service, rounding out the social networks that the company owns — including Periscope — with a more uniform liking system. The company notes that the new update will roll out starting today on Twitter for iOS and Android, the web, Windows 10, TweetDeck, “and on Tweets across the Internet.” Other services, like Twitter for Mac, will see support coming “soon.”
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Apple, Google and Others Form Coalition to Push Technology in Financial Sector
A handful of technology giants — including Apple, Amazon, Google, PayPal, and Intuit — have announced a partnership in the formation of the Financial Innovation Now coalition (via Re/code). The group aims to promote tech-friendly policies and changes within the financial services sector in Washington, D.C. Those behind the group will work to alter the political debate on relevant issues like tech security, mobile payments, and fraud prevention in the favor of its partners.
“A technological transformation is going to make financial services more accessible, more affordable and more secure,” said Brian Peters, executive director of Financial Innovation Now. “The challenge in Washington is making sure policy-makers understand that, and they’re comfortable with it, and they don’t apply old rules to new technology.”
Thanks to the growing popularity of mobile payments solutions like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and PayPal, the companies behind such services are positioning themselves as part of the future in financial services discussions in Washington, since they’re more part of the conversation than ever before. The partnership also intends to work together to achieve blanket improvements for each individual service in topics like user security and authentication, faster payment processing, and “access to basic financial services for the two billion people in the world who are underserved.”
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
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Apple Pay Gains 54 New Participating Issuers in United States
Apple updated its Apple Pay participating issuers list today with 54 additional banks, credit unions and financial institutions supporting the contactless payment service in the United States. Apple Pay now has over 650 participating issuers nationwide, and several more plan to support the NFC-based mobile payment service in the future.
The newly added Apple Pay participating issuers are reflected below, although it’s worth noting that some banks, credit unions and financial institutions listed may have already had support for the contactless payments service and are only now being reflected on Apple’s website.
The full list of new Apple Pay participating issuers:
- Alternatives Federal Credit Union
- Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union
- Artisans’ Bank
- Bank of Eastman
- Bank of Rantoul
- Bridgeview Bank Group
- Carson Bank
- Calumet Bank
- Catholic & Community Credit Union
- Central State Bank
- Charter Oak Federal Credit Union
- Citizens First Bank
- Cornerstone Bank
- Cornerstone National Bank
- Credit Union of America
- Drummond Community Bank
- Education Employees Credit Union
- First Community Credit Union (MO)
- First Federal Bank of the Midwest
- First Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan Association
- Genisys Credit Union
- German American
- Gorham Savings Bank
- Greenwood Credit Union
- Houston Texas Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union
- Hudson River Community Credit Union
- InTouch Credit Union
- KV Federal Credit Union
- Lexington Postal Credit Union
- Macatawa Bank
- Maine Family Federal Credit Union
- Marion State Bank
- Missouri Bank
- Missouri Credit Union
- Mocse Credit Union
- Municipal Employees Credit Union of Oklahoma City
- Mutual Bank
- Newaygo County Service Employees Credit Union
- Oak Trust Credit Union
- Peoples Bank (WA)
- Peoples Bank (AR)
- Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union
- PyraMax Bank
- Settlers Federal Credit Union
- The Bank
- The Provident Bank
- Tri City National Bank
- TwinStar Credit Union
- UMassFive College Federal Credit Union
- United Equity Credit Union
- United Savings Credit Union
- University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union
- Upper Peninsula State Bank
- Weokie Credit Union
Apple Pay remains limited to the United States and United Kingdom, although Apple is committed to an international rollout of the mobile payments service in additional countries such as Australia and Canada in the future.
WSJ reported that Apple is planning a November launch of Apple Pay in Canada. Apple Pay will also be available to eligible American Express customers in Canada and Australia later this year, in addition to Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong in 2016.
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Apple now ranks the top Apple TV apps
One of the best ways to discover new Mac and iOS apps is to simply peruse the charts in their respective App Stores. When the fourth-gen Apple TV debuted last week, this particular feature was missing — which is perhaps no surprise, given hardly any transactions had been made yet in the tvOS App Store. That’s now been rectified, however, so you can swipe around with Apple’s upgraded remote and get a better sense of what’s hot. As 9to5Mac notes, video games seem to be making an early impression. Given the medium is entirely new to Apple TV, it’s logical that titles like Alto’s Adventure, Lumino City and Manticore Rising are creeping into the “Top Paid” rankings. That could change, of course, as the new Apple TV install base grows — once everyone’s usage settles down, we suspect the usual suspects like Netflix and HBO Now will dominate the “Top Free” spots.
Via: 9to5Mac
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