Apple TV Beta Includes Redesigned Interface With iOS 7-Style Icons, Fonts [Mac Blog]
Alongside iOS 8 beta 5 and the fifth Yosemite beta, Apple today launched a new Apple TV software beta, which includes a long-awaited interface update.
The new interface includes new icons, which are designed to resemble the icons in iOS 7, with a flatter, less glossy look. Several icons, like Music, Computers, and TV Shows have new colors, and the on-screen fonts have been updated as well.
Image courtesy of iLounge
Previous Apple TV betas have also added new Family Sharing options and support for iCloud Photos, both of which are features introduced in iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.
Currently, the Apple TV beta is available only to registered developers, but the updated software is expected to be released to the public in the fall, likely alongside the launch of iOS 8.
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Apple Releases iOS 8 Beta 5 to Developers
Apple today released the fifth beta of iOS 8 to developers, two weeks after releasing the fourth beta update and two months since introducing the new mobile operating system at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
The update, build 12A4345d, is available through Apple’s over-the-air updating mechanism on iOS devices and can also be downloaded via the iOS Developer Center.
iOS 8 introduces a range of new features, including improved integration with OS X through Continuity, a Health app, Family Sharing features, interactive notifications, a new QuickType Keyboard and improvements to several apps like Safari, Mail, and Messages.
Each beta update thus far has brought refinements and additional features to iOS 8, with beta 4, for example, bringing a new Tips app and a redesigned Control Center, among other improvements.
Currently, iOS 8 is only available to registered developers, but the operating system is expected to be released to the public this fall after several beta iterations. We may be getting close to the end of the beta testing period, however, as one rumor has suggested iOS 8 beta 5 may be the final beta version while another indicates it’s the second-to-last beta before a golden master.
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Apple Releases OS X Yosemite Developer Preview 5
Alongside iOS 8 beta 5, Apple today released a new version of OS X Yosemite to developers, two weeks after releasing the fourth Developer Preview and two months after unveiling the new desktop operating system at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.
The update can be downloaded from the Mac App Store or through the Mac Developer Center.
OS X Yosemite brings a flatter, more modern look to OS X, with an emphasis on translucency and redesigned dock, windows, and more. It also includes a multitude of new features, such as improved integration with iOS 8 through Continuity, a new “Today” view in Notification Center that offers integration with third-party apps, a retooled Spotlight search with new data sources, and several new features for apps like Mail, Safari, and Messages.
Over the course of the beta testing period, each Developer Preview has added new features and refined the look and performance of OS X Yosemite. DP 4, for example, added a revamped version of iTunes with a streamlined design and support for Family Sharing, while an earlier beta introduced a new Dark Mode.
Today’s Developer Preview is limited to registered developers, but last week, Apple made a version of OS X Yosemite available to the public as part of a wide-ranging beta test. The pre-release version of Yosemite available to those participating in the public beta program is not expected to receive as many updates as the developer version.
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5.5-Inch iPhone 6’s A8 Processor May Be More Powerful Than in 4.7-Inch Model
Cowen & Co. analyst Timothy Arcuri claims the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will differ in more than just display size, reports AppleInsider. According to Arcuri’s supply chain checks, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may include a more powerful processor and a different touch module than the 4.7-inch model.
A7 transistor die photo from Chipworks
Details on the degree of processor difference between the two models were not provided, but the report suggests it may be more than a simple difference in clock speed as seen in the A7 used in the current iPads and iPhone 5s. The A7 in the iPad Air is clocked at 1.4 GHz, while the same chip in the Retina iPad mini and iPhone 5s is clocked at 1.3 GHz.
Arcuri suggests the processor in the faster 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may actually have a larger die than the version found in the 4.7-inch model. This architectural change may hint at an A8 processor with a different graphics processor or possibly a new process for the fabrication of the chip.
Besides two different processors, Arcuri also believes the two iPhone 6 models may ship with different touch modules, with TPK as the likely manufacturer.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone at a September event with the 4.7-inch model possibly arriving first and the 5.5-inch following up to several months later.
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‘NFL Now’ Channel Coming to Apple TV Later This Week [Updated]
While many NFL fans have been hoping the Sunday Ticket subscription service will make its way to the Apple TV someday, the league appears set to make its first foray onto the set-top box with an upcoming NFL Now channel, reports 9to5Mac.
Announced earlier this year for a launch this month, NFL Now is a personalized digital video library of on-demand news, features, highlights and more, as well as live streaming of press conferences and other events, but not games. The new service will be launching across a number of platforms later this month as the 2014 NFL season begins, but Apple TV support had not been confirmed.
Sports content has been a major theme for Apple TV content, with MLB.tv, NBA League Pass, NHL GameCenter, and MLS Live subscription services all available on the platform. Other sports channels on Apple TV include Watch ESPN, action sports channel Red Bull TV, college-focused ACC + Campus Insiders, and cricket channel Willow.
Update 6:40 AM: 9to5Mac now says the new channel will be launching this week.
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‘BioShock’ Coming to iOS Later This Summer [iOS Blog]
Award-winning first-person shooting game BioShock is making the transition to iOS later this summer, developer 2K Games tells Engadget. Originally launched in 2007, the game kicked off a trio of successful titles in the series, which is available on several platforms including PC, Mac, and consoles.
While taking BioShock to iOS is a big move for the series, Engadget calls the experience “subpar” as the visuals have been reduced in quality to fit within Apple’s app size requirements for the App Store. In addition the device size itself simply makes the game feel “distinctly less immersive”. The game does, however, play well if users can adapt to the on-screen touch screen controls or take advantage of an external Bluetooth gamepad.
An exact launch date for the iOS version BioShock is yet to be announced, and 2K Games says it will carry “premium” pricing with no extra downloadable content.
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The original BioShock is headed to iOS this summer
If BioShock Infinite‘s brief stopover in Rapture wasn’t enough to sate your Randian desires, 2K Games’ China studio is currently in the process of moving the original BioShock from last-gen consoles and PC to iOS. Like XCOM: Enemy Unknown before it, BioShock is a “premium” iOS game and thus carries a “premium” price — that price is unknown thus far, but we’d put it somewhere in the $10 – $30 range. As one 2K Games rep told us in an interview late last week, “It is a seven year old game.” So perhaps on the lower-end of that scale, then.
Other than that, well, it’s BioShock. Would you kindly head past the break if you’d like to know more?
Yes, BioShock doesn’t look as good on iOS. It’s the truth. In-game lighting and shadows are cut down pretty dramatically, as are art assets. The grandeur of Rapture is distinctly less grand, which sucks some of the life out of one of my personal favorites. The first thing you’ll notice is “iOS fire.” The game’s opening — a plane crash — puts main character Jack in the ocean surrounded by some hideously ugly fire animations. It’s the first hint that the iOS version of Rapture has been shrunken down to fit within Apple’s app store file size limitation, and it’s a nagging issue that I couldn’t shake in my hands-on time.
But maybe you haven’t played BioShock before and you’re not overloaded with lofty expectations (like me). First things first, you’re in for a treat! Second, even without my lofty expectations, you should probably play this on a couch with an Xbox 360. BioShock is a great example of world-building in video games, and the iOS experience is a subpar representation. Simply put, between the lessened scale and the delivery medium, BioShock iOS is distinctly less immersive.
The good news is that it plays perfectly fine, even with touch controls. Admittedly, the touch control situation is not ideal. Like Grand Theft Auto‘s mobile ports, virtual buttons appear contextually on screen. Also like Grand Theft Auto‘s mobile ports, I found myself scrambling to figure out which virtual button to push as a gang of enemies descended on me. “But Ben,” you ask with a hint of hesitation in your voice. “Why not use a bluetooth controller?” Well, you can. And I tried that with a MOGA bluetooth controller. That totally works.
Here’s the thing: I don’t carry a bluetooth gamepad on me. Do you? Does anyone? Okay, does anyone who isn’t a crazy person? You can play BioShock iOS with a gamepad. But will anyone?
In terms of nuts and bolts, BioShock iOS doesn’t have any of the extra downloadable content that the console/PC version has. It requires a newer iOS device — iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad 4, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C or iPhone 5 — and straight up won’t run on earlier devices (says 2K). It’ll arrive sometime this summer at an unknown, “premium” price.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Apple
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New Photos Claim to Show Purported Rear Shell of iPad Air 2
Taiwan-based accessory maker Yi Lin Enterprises has posted new photos on Weibo showing the purported rear shell of Apple’s iPad Air 2 (Google Translate, via Mac Otakara). The images show off a gold housing with a number of design changes, including a new speaker grille with larger holes and a relocated rear microphone alongside the iSight camera.
Last month, an alleged “perfect replica” of the iPad Air 2 surfaced, showing off a Touch ID home button for the device and recessed volume buttons along with the same refined speaker grille. The prototype followed the leak of a supposed front panel from the iPad Air 2 this past April, which showed an integrated display that may hint at a thinner form factor for the tablet.
Apple’s iPad Air 2 is expected to launch alongside the iPad mini 3 later this year, and is expected to include a faster A8 processor in addition to the aforementioned Touch ID fingerprint sensor and refined physical features. Rumors have also suggested that Apple is working on a larger, 12.9-inch iPad Pro, however recent reports have indicated that plans for the tablet may be on hold for the foreseeable future.
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Apple Constructing Second Retail Store in Turkey, May Open This Fall [Mac Blog]
Work has begun on Apple’s second retail location in Turkey, reports Turkish website ElmaDergisi (Google Translate, via ifoAppleStore).
According to the report, the store will open in Istanbul’s Akasya Shopping Center and may coincide with the launch of the iPhone 6 this fall. Photos of the store’s construction show workers laying out flooring and wooden tables, as the store’s front glass exterior and trademark logo already appear to be put up.
Apple’s first location in Turkey opened this past April at Istanbul’s Zorlu Center, and features a unique cubic design with glass sides and a glass ceiling. Apple’s manager of retail stores Steve Cano also led a press tour of the store before its opening.
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Apple Continues App-Focused TV Ad Campaign With ‘Dreams’ Spot
Apple launched a new television ad in its “You’re More Powerful Than You Think” campaign, this time called “Dreams“. The song in the ad is “When I Grow Up” by Jennifer O’Connor.
It is the fourth ad in the series, with previous spots “Powerful“, “Strength“, and “Parenthood” focusing on the sheer variety of apps on the iPhone, workout apps, and apps for parents.
Like the other ads, “Dreams” shows the iPhone used in various situations in everyday life, extended with apps from the App Store. Apps and accessories featured in the spot include:
– Vaavud Wind Meter, an anemometer that plugs into the iPhone’s headphone jack
– Response Deck, an app for fire and EMS first responders
– iTranslate Voice, a near-real time language translation app
– Veterinary AliveECG, a portable heart monitor for pets
– ForeFlight Mobile, a civil aviation mapping and weather app for pilots
– SAM-1, an appcessory for measuring water pH and other data
“Dreams” debuts just over a month after the previous spot, “Parenthood”, was released at the end of June.
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