‘Beats Music’ Tops App Store Music Chart as In-App Subscriptions Spark Interest [iOS Blog]
As noted by Billboard, the Beats Music app [iTunes] for the iPhone climbed to the top of the iOS Music charts on Wednesday, amid grumblings that the streaming music service is struggling to attract customers.
Founded by music producer Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, Beats Music launched its streaming music service earlier this year, entering a crowded market that is dominated by Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Spotify. Beats has aggressively marketed its service, spending millions of dollars for a splashy Superbowl ad featuring Ellen Degeneres and recently partnering with AT&T Mobility to offer its service to AT&T’s 110 million mobile customers.
Beats Music has not released subscriber numbers, but sources for Billboard claim early subscriber estimates are “disappointing,” with numbers climbing only to the “low six figures.” These subscribers are an important metric as they represent the number of customers who exit the free trial and opt to pay for the service. In comparison, market leader Pandora has more than 3.3 million paying subscribers and 75.3 million active listeners.
Beats Music recently updated its streaming music app, allowing users to subscribe to the service via their iTunes account. Beats will be sharing its in-app revenue with Apple according to the App Store’s 70/30 split, but this loss in cash may be offset by an increase in subscriber numbers.
The ability to easily purchase a subscription within the iPhone app may have boosted interest in the service causing it to climb up the App Store charts. Not only is the Beats Music app number one in the free music category, it is also number 5 in the overall Top Free Apps chart and number 8 in the Top Grossing music category. This latter metric suggests more than a few customers are deciding to subscribe to the music streaming service using this new in-app option.
Besides the new in-app subscription, the updated Beats Music app also added support for Facebook friend search, an offline mode, artist promotional offers and more.
Pioneer Talks CarPlay: Working with Apple, Pricing, and the Future
Following last month’s formal introduction of Apple’s CarPlay system for integrating iPhones with in-dash vehicle systems, there were some questions about whether the feature would be able to make its way to aftermarket products or if it would be limited to auto manufacturers putting it into brand-new vehicles. That question was answered earlier this month, with both Alpine and Pioneer announcing their plans to launch CarPlay-compatible systems.
Pioneer appears to be in the best position to move quickly with CarPlay, as its latest NEX systems already include CarPlay-compatible hardware, which will be enabled with a firmware update expected in early summer. In contrast, Alpine will not be launching its CarPlay support until the fall as part of new product debuts.
MacRumors recently spoke with Ted Cardenas, marketing vice president in Pioneer’s car electronics division, and he shared a bit of perspective about CarPlay and its development. Far from being taken by surprise by Apple’s CarPlay announcement last month, Cardenas notes that Apple signaled to Pioneer that there would be coming changes to in-car connectivity even prior to last year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple first showed what was then known as iOS in the Car as part of its iOS 7 preview.
According to Cardenas, development picked up in earnest in July of last year, with Apple putting together a dedicated team to help car manufacturers and aftermarket electronics companies build out their CarPlay support. Unsurprisingly, Apple took a fairly hands-on role in the process, sharing specifications and other information to assist Pioneer with its work.
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‘Opera Coast’ WebKit-Based Browser Now Available for iPhone [iOS Blog]
Back in September, Opera Software released its Coast WebKit-based browser for the iPad and now the company is debuting a new version of the browser designed for Apple’s iPhones.
Like the iPad version of the app, Opera Coast for iPhone has been optimized for the touchscreen. Initiating a search is as simple as pulling down on the home screen, which brings up an input interface with an icon-based autofill that allows users to tap the site they want to visit.
Made for thumbs: The iPhone was made for having all screen real estate within a thumb’s reach, and Opera Coast takes this idea one step further. Gestures take care of practically all of the navigation needs, with the rest handled by a bare minimum of conveniently placed buttons. Two, to be exact.
Websites are displayed full screen, and swipe gestures let users navigate between pages. There’s a small toolbar on the bottom that brings up a visual grid of saved websites, which can be altered with a simple tap and drag gesture. Users can have multiple screens of saved websites, providing easy access to all favorite sites, and search is enhanced with related words and suggestions.
The app also recommends popular websites to visit in a “Stuff we like” section, and provides a sharing tool to send links via iMessage, email, or social networks like Facebook and Twitter. An info tool also provides safety information, letting a user know whether a website is secure. While there is a lot of competition in the browser space, with Safari and Google Chrome readily available, Opera Coast is well worth checking out for its unique touch-focused interface.
Opera Coast for the iPhone will be available today as a free download.
The iPad version of the app is also available as a free download. [Direct Link]
Updated 11-Inch and 13-Inch MacBook Airs Reportedly Coming Next Week
Apple may be planning to update its MacBook Air line next week, according to a new report from MacGeneration [Google Translate]. Citing reliable sources, the website notes that references have been made towards new devices featuring screens of 11-inches and 13-inches, which are the current display sizes for the MacBook Air.
Apple last updated the MacBook Air in June 2013, which featured Intel’s energy-efficient Haswell processors, faster PCI Express-based storage, and faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
If the claims turn out to be true, it is likely that a new MacBook Air at this point in time would feature a small speed bump among few other changes. As outlined by Intel’s processor roadmap, Apple could choose to use a number of just-launched processors for an updated entry-level MacBook Air, including the 1.4 GHz i5-4260U, 1.4 GHz i5-4350U, or the 1.5 GHz i5-4360U.
Notably, the 4350U chip has been available since last year, but Apple elected not to use it in the current MacBook Air. It is also unclear as to what processor Apple would integrate into an updated high-end MacBook Air, as leaked roadmaps have still yet to show a direct successor to the current i7-4650U chip.
Multiple reports have also indicated that Apple is working on a brand new 12-inch MacBook Air for later this year. According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the notebook is expected to feature a thinner design than the current MacBook Air, and utilize a fan-less cooling system, buttonless trackpad, and higher resolution Retina display.
While it is unclear how a 12-inch Retina MacBook Air would fit into the current lineup, analyst Daniel Matte argued that the laptop will be exactly 11.88” in diagonal screen size, allowing Apple to offer a Retina Display (2732 x 1536, twice 1366×768) with the exact same PPI as the iPad Air (264 PPI).
Apple is also expected to update its line of Retina MacBook Pros during the third quarter of 2014 alongside the aforementioned 12-inch Retina MacBook Air.
Prong Debuts iPhone ‘PWR Case’ With Built-In Plug and Backup Battery [iOS Blog]
Prong, the company behind the iPhone case with a built-in plug for easy charging, today announced an expansion to its product line up, debuting the Prong PWR case.
Like its existing PocketPlug combo cases, the PWR case includes an integrated plug for charging the iPhone, but it also comes equipped with a 1500 mAh detachable backup battery that can be used to charge the iPhone when it is away from a power source. The backup battery itself can also be detached and recharged via its built-in plug.
The Prong PWR Case includes a detachable backup battery and integrated plugs for charging in any outlet, along with a Micro USB port and cable. The backup battery is easily detachable and can be recharged without any additional accessories while the smartphone remains with the user, safe in the inner-protective bumper.
No matter how much someone uses their phone, they can have power all day with the Prong PWR case and their phone never has to leave their side. The battery can be detached and plugged into any outlet to be recharged whenever needed. Once the back-up battery is charged, it quickly reconnects to the back of the case and the phone can then be recharged while on the go.
The case itself comes in multiple colors (black, white, blue-gray, and white-pink) and can be used with or without the battery pack attached, protecting the iPhone from scratches and drops. Designed for the iPhone 5 and 5s, the case also has a retractable A/C plug that folds down flat when it is not in use, and the battery pack utilizes “Quick Charge Technology” to deliver fast charging.
The Prong PWR Case can be preordered from the Prong website for $65, but will retail for $80. It will ship during the summer of 2014.
Report Claims iPhone 6 Will Feature Curved Display, All-Aluminum Rear Shell
Apple’s next-generation iPhone may feature rounded edges and a curved glass display, according to a new report from Mac Otakara [Google Translate].
The Squair Curvaceous Bumper
Citing “reliable sources”, the publication notes that the iPhone 6′s cover glass will sit flush with the device’s rounded corners, departing from the straight edges seen on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5s. The report likens the device’s profile to the Squair Curvaceous Bumper, a Japan-made aluminum bumper for the iPhone that features a rounded housing.
The report also claims that Apple will do away with the rear glass antenna breaks found on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5s in favor of an all-aluminum design. Such a move would likely mean that Apple is incorporating significant changes to its overall antenna layout, perhaps positioning current radios in different locations.
Throughout the past few months, various reports have indicated that the iPhone 6 may feature slightly rounded edges. However, only a few reports have claimed that the device will feature a curved glass display, with Bloomberg noting last December that the company was working on two iPhones with large curved screens for this year. That account however was contrasted by The Wall Street Journal this past January, which said that Apple would not be using a curved display in its devices.
Renderings of the iPhone 6 (4.7”) and iPhone 6 (5.7”) based on leaked schematics
Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 6 later this year in two different sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. It is also likely that the smaller 4.7-inch version of the phone will ship first in the third quarter of this year, while the larger version is estimated to ship later due to challenges with the device’s display technology and battery life.
In addition to a larger display, both versions of the iPhone 6 are expected to include a thinner, bezel-free design, faster A8 processor, Touch ID fingerprint sensor and an upgraded camera with optical image stabilization. The device is also expected to debut with Apple’s latest iOS 8 mobile operating system, which will likely feature enhancements to Maps, Siri, and iCloud in addition to a new “Healthbook” app. Apple is also said to be negotiating with carriers to increase the price of the iPhone 6 by $100.
iPhone 6 Size Compared to Galaxy S5 and Other Android Phones
With a large bulk of the rumors for the iPhone 6 revolving around its purported increased screen size, there have been a healthy amount of iPhone 6 renderings exploring what the phone could look like and how big it would be compared to the current iPhone 5s.
MacRumors forum member deuxani decided to take it a step further and compared the 4.7″ iPhone 6 to its Android-based competition.
If the rumors are true, at least one model of the iPhone 6 will contain a 16:9 4.7” screen. When you think about it realistically the iPhone 6 will have a home button with a finger print scanner the same size as the iPhone 5S. Also will the top and bottom bezels have the same height for symmetry. The side bezels will be smaller than the iPhone 5S, but they will not be non-existing.
First, deuxani compared the rumored iPhone 6 to the Motorola Moto X and LG G2 Mini, two 4.7-inch Android phones, that were actually smaller despite having the same screen size. This is largely because of of the rounded Touch ID sensor on the bottom and the need for the top and bottom bezels to be symmetrical due to Apple’s design philosophy.
Compared to the 5″ Nexus 5 and the 5.2″ LG G2, deuxani found the iPhone 6 could be as tall as either phone with less screen real estate.
And finally, when compared to this year’s flagship 5″ HTC One (m8) and Samsung Galaxy S5, deuxani found that the Android devices were larger in every way.
In conclusion, deuxani found that the iPhone 6 could find it difficult to impress in screen size alone when compared to its Android competition. However, the iPhone 6 may stand out in thinness, which was highlighted in a video earlier today comparing an leaked iPhone 6 case to other devices.
Apple has been rumored to release two larger sized iPhones this fall. The rumored sizes are 4.7″ and 5.5″, though the 4.7″ version is thought to arrive first as Apple is allegedly having a difficult time finding a thin enough battery to place in the 5.5″ model. A recently released Apple slide revealed that the company acknowledged that consumers wanted larger screened phones, which Apple couldn’t provide them at the time.
iPhone 6 Case Compared to iPhone 5s, Nexus 5 and Galaxy Note 3 in New Video
We’ve seen several examples of cases designed for the rumored 4.7-inch version of the upcoming iPhone 6, and in a new video, Unbox Therapy compares a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 case to the iPhone 5s, the Nexus 5 and the Galaxy Note 3, giving us an idea of how the iPhone 6 might look next to other large-screened devices.
The 4.7-inch case is depicted next to the 4-inch iPhone 5s, the 4.95-inch Nexus 5, and the 5.95-inch Galaxy Note 3. The case is closest in size to the Nexus 5, which gives the best representation of how a 4.7-inch iPhone may feel in the hand. The iPhone 5s looks quite a bit smaller than the case, while the Galaxy Note 3 looks significantly larger.
Along with a size comparison, the video points out some of the design features on the case, which may translate to design changes on the iPhone 6. As has been pointed out in other case and part leaks, the sleep/wake button has been moved from the top right of the device to the right side.
Rumors have suggested the sleep/wake button might be relocated in order to improve one-handed use on a larger device, and the volume buttons might be altered as well, gaining a rectangular iPad-mini-style shape rather than the existing circular buttons on the iPhone 5s.
The iPhone 6 case is also noted to be quite thin, which is in line with previous rumors about the device. According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 6 could be significantly thinner than the existing 7.6mm iPhone 5s at 6.5–7.0mm and it may also have a narrower bezel.
Rendering of the iPhone 6 in both 4.7 and 5.7-inch sizes
Apple is expected to ship the iPhone 6 in two different sizes, the 4.7-inch version described in the video and also a 5.5-inch version that has reportedly seen some production delays. While the 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 may make its debut as soon as September, the 5.5-inch version may not ship until 2015.
Along with a thinner profile, multiple sizes, and a narrower bezel, the iPhone 6 might include a sapphire crystal screen, an A8 processor, and camera improvements in the form of optical image stabilization.
Apple Has Acquired 24 Companies in Last 18 Months
During today’s second quarter earnings call which is still ongoing, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple has purchased a total of 24 companies during the course of the last 18 months, some that are known and some that remain unknown.
Just over half of Apple’s acquisitions have come to light, which means the company has purchased many additional companies that have not yet been discovered. In 2014, Apple’s known purchases included SnappyLabs, a company that produced a burst photo app, and Burstly, the company behind the Testflight iOS beta testing platform.
2013 saw the purchase of several different mapping apps, including BroadMap, Embark, HopStop, Locationary, and WiFiSlam, along with other notable additions like 3D company PrimeSense and Novauris, a speech recognition company. Back in October, Tim Cook noted Apple had completed 15 strategic acquisitions in 2013, pointing towards a number of new acquisitions in 2014.
The technology from both Apple’s known acquisitions and their unknown purchases will likely make their way into products that we may see in the future. For example, all of the mapping acquisitions are expected to be put to use in iOS 8, which will see the addition of transit directions and possibly improved indoor mapping techniques.
During the call, Apple noted that investing in research and development along with hardware, software, and services were top priorities for the company.
Apple CEO Tim Cook: It ‘Means More to Us to Get it Right’ Than to Be First
During the question and answer section of today’s financial earnings call Apple CEO Tim Cook explained why the company has been slow to put products out in 2014, pointing towards the company’s attention to detail and desire to “perform at a really high level of quality” Apple’s customers expect.
Cook noted that Apple did not ship the first MP3 player, smartphone, or tablet, but he said that the company did release the first “acceptable” and “modern” smartphone, tablet, and MP3 player.
“We care about every detail and it takes us a bit longer to do that. That’s always been the case,” he said. “It means more to us to get it right than to be first.”
Cook pointed towards examples in the marketplace where the clear objective was to be first, possibly referring to Samsung and its poorly received Galaxy Gear smart watch. Apple customers “want great, insanely great,” said Cook, and “that’s what we want to deliver.”
According to Cook, Apple has many products in the pipeline that the company is excited about, but it is not ready to “pull the string on the curtain.” He did say, however, that Apple has expanded the number of things the company is working on.
