This is what Apple Music for Android will look like
Back in June, we received a heads up from Apple that their music streaming service would be hitting Android devices sometime this fall, a few months later than its arrival to iOS, OSX, and PC. Although the app rolled out to the other operating systems in due course, we didn’t hear much else about the Android version’s development since then.
Now, however, it looks like the German tech website MobileGeeks has gotten a sneak peek at Apple Music for Android, and they’ve showcased the first screenshots of the app.
Visually, the interface of this beta version looks very similar to what we’ve seen on the iOS, barring the Android-typical sandwich menu that swipes in from the left.
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The app promises to be a competitor for Android giants Google Play Music and Spotify. The question remains: will Apple be able to lure users away from these streaming services? Apple Music is available to individual users for $9.99 per month or $14.99 for a family plan accommodating up to six users. It’s expected to hit the Google Play Store sometime around November.
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It’s an interesting move by Apple, who has historically been slow to offer their services on non-Apple hardware. Similar to Blackberry adopting the Android operating system, this adds to a growing sense that software will continue to gain prominence, while the physical devices that we use it on will become less and less relevant to what services are available to us.
What do you think? Will Apple Music receive a warm welcome in the Google Play Store? Would you be willing to cast aside Google Play Music All Access to get your iTunes Library back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Apple Hires Nvidia AI Director With Experience in Self-Driving Car Systems
Apple has hired Nvidia’s Jonathan Cohen, director of deep learning software for the company, according to Cohen’s LinkedIn page, which was first spotted by Re/code. Deep learning essentially trains computers to recognize patterns in data and then organizes them in a similar way to humans. Nvidia uses deep learning in its Nvidia Drive PX platform, which is used to power self-driving cars.
Cohen’s LinkedIn page doesn’t list an official title with Apple, instead only listing “Software” as his position. He’s held multiple positions within Nvidia since joining the company in 2008, starting out as a Senior Research Scientist and building his way to Director of Deep Learning Software this year. Cohen also has experience working with Nvidia’s CUDA platform, which is used to power GPUs in broad-ranging use cases like air traffic control and blood flow prediction software.
As noted by Re/code, Apple currently uses deep learning for Siri and Apple Maps. It’s unknown what Cohen’s expertise could be applied to at Apple, but at this year’s CES Cohen was explaining how Nvidia’s deep learning technology was being used in its self-driving car platform Drive PX.
Apple has met with California DMV officials regarding self-driving car laws within the state and multiple reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that the Cupertino company is exploring the functionality with the possibility of including it in a later iteration of the much-rumored Apple Car.
In recent years, Apple has poached employees from Tesla, Ford, GM, A123 Systems and Samsung for its secretive automotive project. More recently, it’s hired away talent from electric motorcycle startup Mission Motors, who had to close its doors after the talent drain. In September, it was reported that Apple was labeling the car project a “committed project“, speeding up development and aiming for a 2019 launch date.
Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit for New Wi-Fi Assist Feature
Apple was slapped with a $5 million class action lawsuit over iOS 9’s Wi-Fi Assist feature today, according to AppleInsider. The new feature is turned on by default in iOS 9 and automatically switches a user to cellular data when the local Wi-Fi connection is weak.
The feature is an attempt to create a more smooth user experience, but some users have complained that the feature increases data use, which would take some users near or over their monthly data caps. In October, Apple admitted that users should only see a “small percentage” hike in data usage and attempted to ease concerns over the feature.
In a support document, Apple explained that the feature does not work when a user is roaming, only works when apps are in the foreground and doesn’t work with third-party apps that use large amounts of data, like music and video streaming apps.
The lawsuit says that plaintiffs William Scott Phillips and Suzanne Schmidt Phillips were subjected to overage charges on their iPhones after updating to iOS 9, although the suit doesn’t list how much those charges were. However, the plaintiffs claim that the “overall amount in controversy exceeds” $5 million. The suit also notes that Apple did not clearly explain the feature until the media covered user complaints, but that at that point it was too late for the plaintiffs.
“Defendant’s above corrective action, however, still downplays the possible data overcharges a user could incur. Reasonable and average consumers use their iPhones for streaming of music, videos, and running various applications — all of which can use significant data. Defendant’s corrective statement does not disclose any basis for its conclusion that an average consumer would not see much increase in cellular usage.”
Wi-Fi assist is available on devices running iOS 9 or later, although the feature is not supported on the iPhone 4s, iPad 2, the 3rd-generation iPad and the 1st-generation iPad mini. To turn off Wi-Fi Assist, users can go to Settings > Cellular and scroll down to the bottom to toggle off the feature.
DOJ: Apple owns your iPhone’s software, so it should have a backdoor
The Department of Justice is trying to get Apple to unlock a defendant’s iPhone. While Apple has stated that it can technically bypass the phone’s passcode security, it has so far refused to do so for various reasons. So the DOJ has come up with a new strategy, force Apple to comply because it licenses the software on the phone. Because of that, the DOJ contends that the iPhone maker actually has a relationship with the phone that’s currently evidence in a case. In a reply to Apple’s response to the court order to unlock the phone, the government states, “Apple cannot reap the legal benefits of licensing its software in this manner and then later disclaim any ownership or obligation to assist law enforcement when that same software plays a critical role in thwarting execution of a search warrant.” In other words, it’s your software Apple, not the defendant’s, unlock it.
Via: Boing Boing
Source: DOJ
iPad Pro Hands-on Makes the Case for Productivity Uses, Apple Pencil Is Excellent
With the launch of the iPad Pro coming up shortly, technology and education expert Fraser Speirs got some hands-on time with the device at an invitation-only event in London yesterday. Speirs has been sharing his thoughts from his one-hour session with the iPad Pro and its accessories and answering questions on Twitter, offering an interesting perspective on the user experience.
Overall, Speirs was impressed by the iPad Pro, finding it most ideal for productivity tasks in noting the device “is expansive where the Air 2 is intimate. It definitely has a ‘work’ feel to it, although photos/media are fantastic.” Multitasking in particular is “a whole different thing” on the iPad Pro with a true feeling of “two iPads stuck together,” an experience that makes it “a great device for serious work and creativity.”
If you’re the kind of person who uses Editorial, Keynote, Pythonista, Office, Adobe, Omni and Panic apps, you should look at iPad Pro.
— Fraser Speirs (@fraserspeirs) October 23, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Speirs is a bit less enthusiastic about other use cases, noting that “if you just use it to browse and Netflix” there may not be enough benefit from the iPad Pro to make it worth the increased size and weight compared to iPad Air 2. For reading, he feels “it’s not a device to snuggle up with” but would be solid for reference work.
Turning to the Apple Pencil, Speirs calls it “extremely impressive” and “certainly the best iPad stylus I have used by a country mile.” Palm rejection is described as “near-perfect” and the “best I have ever seen on iOS,” making for a smooth experience with writing and drawing apps.
Speirs was less impressed with the Smart Keyboard, calling it “a bit fiddly” due to its size and complexity but a “decent enough” keyboard. As far as the keyboard feel, Speirs compares it most closely to Logitech’s Keys-to-Go among accessories iPad users might already be familiar with.
For more of Speirs’ thoughts on the iPad Pro and its accessories, check out his Twitter timeline, which is full of tidbits and other impressions.
MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Neo Smartpen N2 and Notebook Bundle
For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Neo Smartpen to give away a Neo Smartpen N2 and a matching N Notebook, which work together to let you write on traditional paper while also transferring your notes to your iPhone or iPad to use in apps like Evernote.
The Neo Smartpen N2 and its accompanying Neo Notes app is able to sync what is written in the N Notebook to an iOS device, transcribing any written text into digital text. Made of aluminum and stainless steel, the N2 is similar in size to a traditional ballpoint pen and weighs just 22 grams, so it’s easy to transport anywhere you go.
It includes a dual-core processor that can capture more than 120 frames per second, transferring information to an iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth. Its built-in battery will work for five hours of constant usage or three days of normal usage.
The N2 Smartpen does need to be used with an N Notebook that has tiny symbols printed on it to transfer written words to an iPhone, but the company also recently introduced software that is able to print paper that can be used with the N2. Special paper is needed because the N2 has a small built-in camera that records the position and pressure of each pen stroke.
The Neo Smartpen N2 is available from Amazon for $169, but one MacRumors reader will be able to win one in today’s giveaway. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize.
You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page. Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveawayhttp://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.jsThe contest will run from today (October 23) at 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time through 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time on October 30. The winner will be chosen randomly on October 30 and will be contacted by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen. The prize will be shipped to the winner for free.
iCloud for Windows 5 Adds iCloud Photo Library and Two-Factor Authentication
Apple has released iCloud for Windows 5 with support for iCloud Photo Library and two-factor authentication for Apple ID accounts. Windows users were previously limited to accessing iCloud Photo Library through the web interface.
Apple recommends that iCloud for Windows users have Windows 7, 8 or 10 installed. For email, the software currently supports Outlook 2007 through Outlook 2013, while Outlook 2016 users can access iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendars on iCloud.com.
Use iCloud Photo Library on your Windows PC to download all of the photos and videos from your Apple devices to your computer, or upload your Windows Pictures library to iCloud. And when you turn on iCloud Photo Sharing, you can share your captured memories with just the people you choose.
Apple has published a support document for setting up and using iCloud Photo Library on Windows.
Apple Watch Now Available at Target in Stores and Online
Target has delivered on its plans and is now selling the Apple Watch in U.S. stores and online (via The Loop). The large retailer is carrying both Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch models with the same pricing as Apple.
Target has also listed dozens of bands on its website, including the Classic Buckle, Leather Loop, Milanese Loop and Sport Band, but most remain unavailable for delivery or in-store pickup at this time. Apple Watch accessories and AppleCare+ are also listed.
Our hearts just skipped a beat! #AppleWatch is here. In stores and online. 💗💓💗 https://t.co/g4tkLB0P0e
https://t.co/t2mpjyIlPD
— Target (@Target) October 22, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsApple Watch also became available through B&H Photo earlier this month, as part of a growing group of Apple Watch authorized resellers.
Apple won’t be suing HTC over the One A9’s blatant iPhone 6S-like design
HTC this week announced the One A9, and the design turned out to be a blatant copy of the iPhone 6/6S. HTC claims that it was actually Apple who copied the Taiwanese manufacturer, but Cupertino won’t be serving papers to HTC anytime soon either way.
Apple was quick to start the litigation process with Samsung over every little minuscule patent, but not HTC. And that’s because in 2012, HTC and Apple reached a deal where the Taiwanese company would pay Apple $6-$8 per Android device the manufacturer ships in return for the patent battles to stop.
The terms of the deal remain confidential to this day. The agreement was for 10 years, and we’re only three years into it so far. HTC China’s President Ray Yam said this in 2012:
“The settlement with Apple will start to pay off next year, and the fourth quarter of this year is still going at a set pace. The biggest benefit to us is that we can put more energy into innovation, which is more important than anything else for a technology company.”
In other words, we won’t be seeing any litigation over the One A9, unless HTC breaks some confidential term of the deal. And in the meantime, HTC continues to “innovate” with blatant copycat devices.
What’re your thoughts on the One A9?
Come comment on this article: Apple won’t be suing HTC over the One A9’s blatant iPhone 6S-like design
Apple Maps Hints at Upcoming Apple Pay Support in Australia
Apple Pay badges have been added to Apple Maps listings for select Coles and Woolworths supermarket locations in Australia, as spotted by multiple users on discussion forum AppleTalk Australia. The badges are normally reserved for locations that accept Apple Pay, which is noteworthy given the mobile payments service has yet to officially launch in Australia.
Apple Pay badges added to some Apple Maps listings in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
The badges appear in Apple Maps for select Coles and Woolworths store listings in or near large Australian cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Many other Coles and Woolworths listings do not have the badge, nor do large Australian chains such as McDonald’s, so it remains unclear if they were added by mistake, or are indicative of forthcoming Apple Pay support in Australia.
Apple Pay launched in the U.S. in October 2014 before arriving in the U.K. last July, but Apple has remained quiet about its plans to expand iPhone-based contactless payments to additional countries. In August, Fairfax Media reported that Australian banks oppose Apple sharing a portion of the $2 billion interchange fees they collect from merchants each year in return for use of payment infrastructure.
Australia is a well-prepared candidate for Apple Pay, as contactless payments technology has been widely adopted throughout the country over the past few years. Several retailers that support Apple Pay in the U.S. and U.K. also operate in Australia, including Aéropostale, Apple, Babies “R” Us, Champs Sports, Foot Locker, GameStop, McDonald’s, Nike, OfficeMax and Subway.
Beyond Australia, The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Apple is planning a November launch of Apple Pay in Canada, which was likely prematurely leaked by TD Canada Trust last week. Apple has reportedly been in talks with Canada’s six largest banks, including the Bank of Montreal, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust.
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