Apple entices its first big drug company to ResearchKit
Although Apple’s ResearchKit is almost two years old, the platform has mainly been reserved for clinical studies hosted by universities and medical researchers. Hundreds of thousands of people are already contributing data for studies focusing on asthma, diabetes, breast cancer, autism, epilepsy and melanoma, but now drugmakers are getting in on the act. Almost a year after it said it was readying studies using Apple’s health data-collecting tool, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has confirmed the launch of a new research app to help monitor patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
GSK’s Patient Rheumatoid Arthritis Data from the Real World (PARADE) study is the first of its kind and is the first time a major pharmaceutical (or big pharma) company has embarked on such a project. PARADE is designed to look at the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on a patient’s life, by using iPhone sensors to collect information on joint pain, fatigue and overall mood. GSK will track the activity and “quality of life measures” for 300 patients over a three-month period.
Although GSK uses over 40 different technologies to collect health data, ResearchKit allows doctors, scientists and researchers to collect data more regularly and accurately from patients via their iPhone. It’s not testing a new treatment yet, but the company intends to use the data it collects to “develop medicines more effectively.”
Via: Bloomberg
Source: GSK
Apple’s idea for music royalties could stick it to Spotify
The Copyright Royalty Board, a three judge panel that sets licensing rates, is trying to figure out what the statutory rate music download and streaming services will pay publishers between 2018 and 2022. Now, the New York Times and Billboard report that Apple has a suggestion on how to figure out those rates that oh-so-coincidentally would negatively impact services with free streaming options like Spotify (heating up their back-and-forth battle) and YouTube. The statutory rate is what services pay unless they make a direct deal with a publisher, and can shape negotiations between them.
As we’ve heard over the last year, publishers and artists like Taylor Swift aren’t happy about Spotify’s free option, while Apple Music is only available to subscribers (and has a three month free trial period).According to both publications, the proposal (which has not been made public) would have streaming services pay 9.1 cents in songwriting royalties for each 100 plays, equal to the royalties of one download. This is much simpler than the current setup, which pays out a percentage of revenue and is obviously much lower for a free service.
Still, it’s just one proposal of many — the NYT says Spotify, the RIAA, Google, Pandora and Amazon were all expected to file their own suggestions this week — and the CRB is only in the early stages of coming to a decision.
Source: New York Times, Billboard
Turkish president interviewed via FaceTime during military coup
As Turkey’s armed forces seized control of the country today, an odd scene unfolded on CNNTurk as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared live on the screen of an iPhone. News reports indicated he was safe but did not confirm his location, while Erdogan called on the public to support him in public squares and airports. Being forced to rely on internet communications like FaceTime is particularly notable for Erdogan, who has been described as “One of the world’s most determined internet censors,” for repeatedly shutting down access to services like Twitter and YouTube.
According to the group Turkey Blocks, access to Twitter, YouTube and Facebook was disabled after the military uprising began a few hours ago (Update: two hour period of throttling). Twitter’s Policy account said that it is not blocked, but “we suspect there is an intentional slowing of our traffic in country.” The coup attempt is still ongoing, as there are reports of shots fired and hostages taken at the military headquarters in the country’s capital city of Ankara. Despite whatever blocks are in place, Periscope is very popular in Turkey, and a number of livestreams are currently showing protests occurring around the country.
We have no reason to think we’ve been fully blocked in #Turkey, but we suspect there is an intentional slowing of our traffic in country.
— Policy (@policy) July 15, 2016
BREAKING Turkish President Erdoğan blames #Gulenist network & calls on public to go to public squares and airports. pic.twitter.com/vmQlYLyv35
— CNN Türk ENG (@CNNTURK_ENG) July 15, 2016
Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan CNN TÜRK’e açıklama yaptıhttps://t.co/C0EYdmeAz6 https://t.co/IHVrhCBVEB
— CNN Türk (@cnnturk) July 15, 2016
CBS News is coming to Apple TV as a free app
If you’re a cord cutter who owns an Apple TV and is on the hunt for live news coverage, then you’re in luck. CBS News has launched an app for the streaming device that will provide 24-hour news programming. It also curates video playlists and news stories for users based on previously watched videos.
The app won’t require any sort of authentication, allowing anyone — with or without a cable subscription — to watch CBSN. It takes advantage of the 4th generation Apple TV’s Siri integration, letting viewers launch the live stream by telling Apple’s personal assistant they want to “Watch CBS News.” While the stream is playing on the top left-hand corner of your screen, users can also browse and bookmark related videos.
CBS launched its digital streaming channel back in 2014 and is only now releasing it on Apple TV. But the app has long been available on most mobile devices and connected TV platforms, such as Roku and iOS.
CBS is launching the news-focused channel just in time for its coverage of the Republican and Democratic conventions, which kicks off on July 18th and ends on the 25th.
Source: CBS
The best connected home might be one built for you
Outfitting your home with Internet of Things devices can still be a pain. Figuring out which pieces of hardware from different companies work together is a trip down a confusing rabbit hole. But for those in the market for a connected home, is increasingly becoming a ready-to-go option.
Adding home automation elements during construction isn’t new. What’s changed in the last few years is that the prices have dropped dramatically (from tens of thousands to about $3,000) and the systems can be run from Apple’s HomeKit or a voice assistant like Alexa instead of proprietary hardware. Now large homebuilding companies like KB Home, Brookfield Residential and Lennar are offering IoT options for new houses.
Providing homeowners turnkey solutions gives these companies an additional source of revenue. But, it also shows that the current wave of connected home devices and platforms is finally reaching a level of maturity that will convince people that home automation is actually useful.
Jacob Atalla, KB Home VP of sustainability, tells Engadget, “We are at stage beyond the (individual) widgets.” He added now that different devices are working together thanks to the HomeKit platform, his company is able to deliver a real experience to homeowners.
You shouldn’t expect to walk into one of these new houses and see a Nest on the wall or a WeMo controlling the lights. A home is a decades-long investment. Sure the startup world is exciting, but homebuilders are relying on established manufacturers like Whirlpool, GE and Honeywell. David Kaiserman, president of Lennar Ventures, tells Engadget, “When you buy a new home, it’s a significant piece of machinery. We rely on and take a lot of stock in the manufacturing process and quality control of the large manufacturers.”
The closest thing to a startup in these homes is Apple. All three homebuilders are working with the iPhone-maker to make sure the buildings are HomeKit-ready to simplify the transition to a smarter house. All the devices in the dwellings will be compliant with Apple’s IoT solution. “What people want is an entire package that’s simple and unified and easy to use. Consumers don’t want one device over another, they want an entire solution,” Kaiserman says.
But the executives all also noted that they are open to working with other platforms — which should be welcome news to Android-using home buyers. Plus, it’s a sign that the companies see this as a long-term trend. Brookfield Residential COO, Adrian Foley, believes once people see what a smart home can accomplish, they won’t go back. He used the car as an analogy, noting that people don’t want to return to a time before keyless entries and electric windows. “I think we’ll get very used to the convenience of the smart home,” he says.
In the meantime, house hunters have the opportunity to jump directly into a connected home without the headache of building it on their own. And while KB Home, Lennar and Brookfield Residential would like everyone to enjoy the benefits of IoT with a clean slate, the truth is that won’t happen. But, what will happen is that people will visit their friends in their fancy new automated dwellings will realize that maybe IoT is something they want in their own home — even if it still takes more effort than it should.
MasterCard is lending its mobile payment tech to banks
MasterCard is hoping to make in-store mobile payments — the ability to wave your phone at a terminal to buy something — more accessible. The company is teaming up with several banks, including Citi and Bank of America, to let customers pay for stuff using bank apps on their phones. Meaning, you won’t have to download a dedicated app.
This will be enabled through MasterCard’s Masterpass service, which is already available for in-app and online purchases, but now can be used in-stores. Consumers will be able to use it at over 5 million in-store locations in 77 countries. However, the feature will only be on Android phones that have built-in NFC chips. iPhone users will be left out because Apple doesn’t permit other companies to use its chip, which already powers a similar service in Apple Pay.
Tech giants like Google helped introduce the concept of mobile payments to the US a few years ago, and last year they accounted for $8.7 billion in sales. This will more than triple in 2016, according to leading media and commerce researcher eMarketer.
Mastercard believes that the ability to provide more information, like balances and rental car coverage, will give Masterpass a slight advantage over more established services like Android Pay. The company has also introduced a new logo to kickstart its shift towards mobile payments.
The rollout will start this month in the US, followed by Europe, Africa, and the Middle East later this year, and other areas in 2017.
Source: MasterCard
T-Mobile to Offer Free Data for Pokémon Go Starting Next Tuesday
As part of its T-Mobile Tuesday offerings, T-Mobile plans to offer its customers free data for hit augmented reality game Pokémon Go. Starting on July 19, T-Mobile subscribers will be able to play Pokémon Go, which is something of a data hog, without using up their monthly data.
T-Mobile plans to provide free unlimited high-speed data for Pokémon Go for all subscribers through August 17, 2017. Customers will need to redeem the gift in the T-Mobile Tuesdays app between July 19 and August 9, 2016.
Ready to catch them all!? #TMobileTuesdays is giving you unlimited data use for #PokémonGo! https://t.co/NrFAxW3KYq pic.twitter.com/pPXxezGV0r
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) July 14, 2016
Next Tuesday’s T-Mobile Tuesday offering, which is Pokémon themed, will also include free Lyft rides up to $15, a free Wendy’s frosty, and up to 50 percent off all accessories at T-Mobile stores. 250 T-Mobile subscribers will win $100 in PokéCoins to spend in the app and five people will win a Pokémon Go hunting trip anywhere in the United States.
“This is what T-Mobile Tuesday is all about – thanking customers with hot, new, totally free gifts every week, and right now, nothing is hotter than Pokémon Go!” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “With the carriers’ shared data schemes, players could easily burn up the family’s data bucket – and then, hello, overages! At T-Mobile, we’re unleashing Pokémon Go so our customers can play free for a year. It’s gonna be a fantastic T-Mobile Tuesday!”
T-Mobile first unveiled T-Mobile Tuesdays last month, marking the debut of its eleventh Uncarrier promotion. T-Mobile Tuesdays brings customers a variety of weekly freebies, from food and movie tickets to ride-sharing credits.
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Apple’s Eddy Cue doesn’t view Netflix or Comcast as competition
When it comes to Apple’s plans for TV and streaming services, senior VP Eddy Cue is the guy with all the answers. Cue, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, revealed some interesting tidbits behind the company’s philosophies regarding plans for original content, the possibility of Apple providing a streaming service and more.
During the interivew, Cue spoke briefly on his thoughts on skinny bundles, or significantly smaller bundles of channels and services, noting that he actually isn’t a “big fan” of the idea.
“I think it’s a misconception. Most people, at the end of the day, end up paying more, not less, for the things they love. With TV content being at an all-time high, why are people asking for less?”
It’s clear from Cue’s thoughts on the bundles themselves that Apple isn’t as interested in creating one for consumers as they are creating the platform that facilitates these types of products. One might assume because Apple is interested in going above and beyond the limitations that currently exist in the entertainment space for television that it’s looking to also expand further in all directions in the original content space.
That’s not exactly true, according to Cue. “We’re not in the business of trying to create TV shows,” he explained to The Hollywood Reporter. Despite announcements to the contrary with an upcoming show featuring Dr. Dre and the recently-announced Planet of the Apps, Cue insisted the company is only truly interested in content if it’s “complementary” to what they’re already doing with Apple Music or innovation for their platform.
In short, Apple, as Cue sees it, isn’t concerned with seeing Netflix or even Comcast as competition in the streaming media space or with original content — it’s all about innovcation and moving forward. The VP summed it up best when asked how he would like to be remembered for at Apple.
“I bleed Apple. The products themselves is what should be remembered, and, yes, I, along with my team, have been a part of that. So I hope that we’re making game-changing products that people just love to use.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Tech leaders say Trump would be a disaster for innovation
While at least one notable tech billionaire is willing to openly support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, a whopping 145 other leaders from major tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yelp, Tumblr, Slack and even Steve Wozniak himself have banded together to publish an open letter denouncing Trump’s “divisive candidacy.” The list of names ranges from CEOs and founders, to VCs and law professors and they’re making it clear they speak for themselves rather than their respective companies, but the message couldn’t be more clear: some of the biggest influencers in tech believe a President Trump would kill America’s innovative spirit.
“We believe in an inclusive country that fosters opportunity, creativity and a level playing field,” the letter, originally posted on Medium explains. “Donald Trump does not. He campaigns on anger, bigotry, fear of new ideas and new people, and a fundamental belief that America is weak and in decline. We have listened to Donald Trump over the past year and we have concluded: Trump would be a disaster for innovation.”
The letter goes on to point out that “America’s diversity is our strength,” and that 40% of the Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or children of immigrants. The group is also very clear that Trump’s plan to “shut down” parts of the internet as a security strategy is not only misguided but also demonstrates “both poor judgment and ignorance about how technology works.”
Razer’s new keyboard turns your iPad Pro into a pseudo-laptop
If you weren’t fully onboard with the iPad Pro’s stock cover/smart keyboard, Razer announced its mechanical alternative on Thursday. It uses Razer’s new “Ultra-Low-Profile Mechanical Switches” that provide the same acuity and responsiveness that made the company’s line of full size mechanicals so popular, just in a smaller form factor.
Each key requires just 70 grams of force to activate and is covered in a chicklet-style key cap. And if they’re anything like their larger versions, these keys should hold up for around 80 million clicks. While the Razer product does offer a detachable polycarbonate cover, it appears that the Razer keyboard case — which pairs to the iPad Pro via Bluetooth — does not recharge the tablet while in use, as Apple’s proprietary Smart Connector does.
The keyboard is now available in both Razer’s digital storefront and brick-and-mortar locations. It retails for $170.
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