Tim Cook Emphasizes Importance of Voice Messaging, Sparking iWatch Speculation

UBS analyst Steve Milunovich recently had a chance to meet up with Tim Cook, as detailed in a new note Milunovich sent to investors on Tuesday (via Fortune). During the meeting, Cook reportedly touched on the subject of voice messaging and based on Cook’s comments, Milunovich is predicting a voice messaging app as a key feature of Apple’s upcoming iWatch.

“When we visited with Tim Cook, he said that walking down streets in China one sees people speaking into their phones sending voice rather than text messages. Porting this capability to the watch makes sense as it is easier to send a voice message from a device already on the wrist than pulling out a phone. It also could aid penetration of China, which Cook said has a ways to go.”

Cook’s comments on voice messaging were likely in relation to a new feature built into Messages in iOS 8, which allows users to record and send audio messages. In iOS 8, the Messages app has a new Microphone icon located to the right of the text box, which can be held down to record a quick voice message.

It is not known if Apple has plans to build a similar feature into the iWatch, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. Rumors have previously suggested Siri’s voice-recognition capabilities might play an important role on the device given its limited screen size, and voice messages may be another natural fit.

Apple’s iWatch is said to be entering production in the near future, in preparation for a possible October launch. The device, which is expected to run a version of iOS 8, is believed to be reliant on existing iOS devices for some of its core Phone and Messages functionality. Current rumors suggest it may have multiple screen sizes up to 2.5-inches in size, a range of health-related sensors, and a multitude of designs to suit different fashion tastes.

Apple Discontinues AIM Support for Many OS X Users With Legacy Mac.com/Me.com IDs

Earlier this year, Apple announced in a support document that it would be discontinuing support as of June 30 for AIM iChat logins using a mac.com or a me.com ID for customers who were running an older version of OS X. Customers who wanted to continue to use that login combination were advised to upgrade their Mac to OS X 10.7.2 or later.

Following this change on Monday, a growing number of customers, even those on more recent versions of OS X and those using third-party services, are experiencing issues using AIM, reports AppAdvice.

I was using an old .mac address for AIM. Messages on my Mac were sent and received through the third-party Adium application. On July 1, the service was no longer operational on either of my two Macs. Currently, my iMac has OS X Yosemite installed, while my MacBook Air has OS X Mavericks.

The issues with AIM began this week and have been discussed in Apple’s support forums as well as on Twitter. According to the reports, some users attempting to log in via the AIM web interface or third-party Mac and iOS such as Adium are no longer able to login to their AIM account using their mac.com or me.com IDs, regardless of their version of OS X. Users have reported varying levels of success with working around the login problems, but many users may be unaware of how to troubleshoot the problems.

Apple has not responded nor provided any details on the issue, but it likely involves the security update that terminated support for older versions of OS X. Apple didn’t announce any changes to this update that would expand it to include all mac.com and me.com users, leaving those users without service or any explanation as to why it won’t work. There’s also no information on when or if the service will be restored to supported users.

Users who wish to avoid the issue may find it easiest to simply create a new AIM login, although they will have to recreate their buddy lists on the new accounts.

Analysts Eyeing Record Highs for Apple’s Stock Price, Rushing to Raise Price Targets

Analysts were sour on Apple last year, believing the company’s stock would not climb over the $700 mark it crossed briefly in September 2012. Now with a 7-for-1 stock split and a continuing stock repurchase plan, this negative sentiment is changing with analysts revising their price targets for the again-hot stock, reports Fortune.

Table compiled by Fortune’s Philip Elmer-DeWitt.
In recent weeks, analysts have adjusted their price targets by as much as 30 percent, with prices now ranging from a low of $87 from Morningstar’s Brian Collelo up to a high of $124 from Stephen Turner of Hilliard Lyons. With the recent upgrades, the analysts’ average price targets are now above Apple’s all-time high once the stock split is accounted for.

As noted by BTIG’s Walter Piecyk, some of this optimism stems from new U.S. carrier plans that will expand the number of customers eligible to upgrade to Apple’s next generation iPhone and new leasing options that offer upgrades with a minimal upfront cost.

“Historically we estimate that ~20% of AT&T’s subscriber base was eligible for an upgrade during an iPhone launch quarter. That eligibility dropped to a low of the mid-teens in the second half of 2013 due to the stricter upgrade policies. We expect AT&T’s new Mobile Share Value plan to increase the percentage of AT&T post-paid subscriber base eligible to upgrade to over 65% by the time the next iPhone launches. In absolute terms that is the difference between 10 or 11 million eligible for upgrades and 45-50 million.”

Wireless carriers in the U.S. have been modifying their consumer cellular and data plans, introducing no-contract options and new incentives that make it easier for customers to upgrade to new phones. Much of this change has been initiated by T-Mobile, which started its Uncarrier promotion in early 2013 with a no-contract Simple Choice plan that lets you pay for a phone in installments with a low upfront cost and early upgrades. Other carriers, such as AT&T, have followed suits with similar plans.

2K Launches ‘Civilization Revolution 2’ for iOS Devices [iOS Blog]

Civilization Revolution 2, the newest iteration of the popular strategy game franchise for mobile devices, has launched on the App Store. Like the first title, Civilization Revolution 2 puts the player in the role of a popular ruler, challenging other factions as they attempt to advance their civilizations throughout the course of history in a turned-based format.

Key Features:
– New Units – strengthen your military might with brand new combat units including Aircraft Carriers, Jet Fighters and Special Forces.
– New Technology – race to science supremacy with new technology such as: Lasers, Modern Medicine and Information Technology
– New Buildings & Wonders – grow and expand your civilization like never before with new buildings and wonders including Nuclear Power Plant, The Red Cross and Silicon Valley
– Enhanced 3D Graphics – updated 3D graphics taking full advantage of iOS devices graphical capability
– Scenario Challenges – reenact historic events and battles in the Scenario Mode

According to 2K, Civilization Revolution 2 is the first game in the series to be developed exclusively for mobile devices, as the original Civilization Revolution title came out on gaming consoles alongside iOS devices. 2K will also be releasing Civilization: Beyond Earth this fall on the Mac, which is a follow up to the popular Civilization V and Civilization IV.

Civilization Revolution 2 is a $14.99 app and is available now on the App Store. [Direct Link]

The original Civilization Revolution for iOS can also be downloaded for $2.99. [Direct Link]

Apple Launches $49 Mac Pro Security Lock Adapter in Online Store [Mac Blog]

Apple today launched a new $49 Mac Pro Security Lock Adapter in its online store, offering users of the new Mac Pro a way to easily secure their machines using existing Kensington locks. Previously, users had to resort to custom building their own locks or ordering more expensive third-party solutions.

Apple’s lock adapter is a simple metal bracket that secures the lift-off cover of the Mac Pro to the base of the machine with a security cable, preventing access to the machine’s internals. The cable lock can then of course be secured to a bulky object or dedicated security ring found on some desks to make it difficult for thieves to steal the machine.

The Mac Pro Security Lock Adapter lets you use a compatible Kensington or similar style third-party lock (sold separately) to keep your Mac Pro secure. The adapter attaches without tools and does not modify or damage the Mac. With a compatible lock connected, the Mac Pro Lock Adapter secures the housing to the enclosure, preventing access to internal components.

Since the Mac Pro’s appearance in its retail stores, even Apple has had to use alternate methods to secure the machines, opting for an Ethernet-based alarm system that simply sets off an alarm when the Mac Pro is removed rather than securing it in place.

The Mac Pro Security Lock Adapter is available now in the Apple Online Store for $49. The adapter is not yet being offered for immediate pickup in Apple’s retail stores, but will presumably be making its way to the company’s stores around the world in the coming days.

FTC Accuses T-Mobile of Knowingly Charging Customers for Fraudulent Services

The United States Federal Trade Commission today filed a complaint against T-Mobile, accusing the carrier of charging customers for unauthorized SMS subscriptions that delivered information like horoscopes and celebrity gossip at prices up to $9.99 per month.

T-Mobile reportedly collected 35 to 40 percent of the amount charged to consumers, at times continuing to bill customers even after it was clear the charges were fraudulent. According to the FTC, T-Mobile made “hundreds of millions of dollars” using these tactics.

The FTC suggests that the charges were unauthorized because of the high volume of T-Mobile customers seeking refunds. The company has allegedly received a high number of consumer complaints since 2012. T-Mobile is also said to have made it difficult to detect the charges, as a summary bill did not show a third-party charge or a recurring subscription. T-Mobile bills also made it “nearly impossible for consumers to find and understand third-party subscription charges.”

After looking past a “Summary” section as well as an “Account Service Detail” section, both of which described “Usage Charges” but did not itemize those charges, a consumer might then reach the section labeled “Premium Services,” where the crammed items would be listed.

According to the complaint, the information would be listed there in an abbreviated form, such as “8888906150BrnStorm23918,” that did not explain that the charge was for a recurring third-party subscription supposedly authorized by the consumer.

T-Mobile also failed to provide full refunds to customers after the charges were discovered. The FTC is asking for a court order to prevent T-Mobile from continuing to charge customers for fraudulent services and to provide full refunds for its “ill-gotten gains.”

T-Mobile has not yet commented on the FTC’s complaint, but the company’s outspoken CEO, John Legere, will undoubtedly have a response.

In recent months, T-Mobile has worked hard to distinguish itself from other mobile phone carriers with its “UnCarrier” initiatives designed to disrupt traditional mobile service. The company has uncoupled device costs from service costs, introduced a Jump upgrade plan, provided unlimited texting and 2G data in 100 countries, offered customers up to $350 to switch carriers, and announced plans to allow customers to “test drive” the service.

Aperture Replacement ‘Photos’ to Offer Image Search, Editing, Effects and Plugins

Last week, Apple announced that the company would be discontinuing their Aperture photo management software to focus development on the new Photos app that was introduced at WWDC. Details on Apple’s new Photos app, however, remains scarce, leaving Aperture users with a lot of uncertainty.

Ars Technica was able to get additional information from an Apple representative, who indicated that certain professional-grade features would be coming to the new Photos app:

When asked about what Aperture-like features users can expect from the new Photos app, an Apple representative mentioned plans for professional-grade features such as image search, editing, effects, and most notably, third-party extensibility.

Some of these editing features are already depicted in the screenshot that Apple released of Photos at the time of the announcement:

Click for Full Size Screenshot
The screenshot shows an adjustments panel with settings for Light (Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Brightness, Contrast, Blacks), Color (Saturation, Contrast, Cast), Black & White (Hue Strength, Neutral Boost, Photo Tone, Grain), Definition, Vignette, White Balance, and Levels.

Apple has promised that existing Aperture users will be able to import their libraries into the new OS X Photos app. Photos is expected to be released early next year.