Apple Updates ‘Apple Store’ Apps for iPhone and iPad With Minor Improvements [iOS Blog]

Apple today updated its Apple Store apps for the iPhone and the iPad, adding some minor enhancements to both apps. The iPhone version has gained improvements to In-Store Notifications, allowing users in the United States to view their notifications within the app and and on the lock screen.

Improvements to in-store notifications, including ability to view notifications in the app as well as on Lock screen. (US only)

In-store notifications were added to the Apple Store app back in December, when Apple began rolling out its iBeacon system designed to give consumers more information on products while browsing within Apple retail locations.

Notifications include information on online orders, store events, product reviews, and iPhone upgrade eligibility.

The Apple Store for iPad app did not gain the same notification improvements, but it was updated with the ability to allow users to purchase Apple Store Gift Cards within the app, which can be ordered in any amount from $25 to $2,000. Gift Cards can be emailed or delivered via mail.

Now buy Apple Store Gift Cards right from the app. Gift cards can be shipped by mail or delivered within 24 hours via email and they’re available in any amount from $25 – $2,000.

Both apps were also updated with unspecified improvements and performance enhancements.

Apple Store for iPhone can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Apple Store for iPad can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Transcend Debuts 128GB RAM Upgrades for 2013 Mac Pro [Mac Blog]

Transcend has introduced new RAM updates for the 2013 Mac Pro, allowing users to bring the total amount of memory in their machines to 128 GB, double Apple and OWC’s maximum 64 GBs of RAM.

Transcend’s DDR3 RDIMMs are available in 16 and 32 GB modules to boost Apple’s 2013 Mac Pro machines to 64, 96, or 128 GB of memory, but its 1333 Mhz 32 GB modules run more slowly than the 16 GB 1866 Mhz memory modules it offers, along with those from OWC and Apple.

While the slower speed of the 32 GB modules may be an issue in certain situations, the possibility of bumping RAM to 128 GB will outweigh the speed loss for many power users.

“The new Mac Pro 2013 is advertised to support up to 64GB of memory, and we understand that pro users running applications that place high demands on RAM have a need to meet and most likely exceed this threshold,” said Angus Wu, Director of Research and Development at Transcend. “For this reason, we have developed and fully tested higher density modules to give users the option of raising their Mac Pro system memory to the advertised 64GB right up to 128GB.”

According to the company, the memory modules are easy to install, guaranteed to work with the Mac Pro, and come equipped with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Microsoft Losing Next Generation of Office Users by Delaying iOS Release

Microsoft has a complete version of Office ready for release on the iPhone and the iPad, according to a new report from Reuters. The software is said to be ready to go as soon as new CEO Satya Nadella decides on a launch date.

The lack of Office software on Apple’s devices is becoming a serious issue for Microsoft as it hemorrhages both users and revenue to simpler apps, losing its grasp on an entire generation of users. According to one analyst estimate, Microsoft is losing approximately $2.5 billion per year avoiding an iPad version of Office.

As Microsoft fails to bring its productivity software to Apple’s mobile platform, companies are switching from the Office suite on computers to a cheaper, simpler, touch friendly solution. Reuters gives Artivest Holdings, a New York financial services startup, as an example of one company that has begun to shun Microsoft Office.

At Artivest Holdings, Office has been largely replaced by Quip, a simple and free word processor that allows users to create documents and send messages on any platform, including iPhone, iPad, and desktop. Hundreds of similar productivity apps that mimic Office features are available in the App Store at little or no cost.

“There are no more Microsoft Word documents being circulated. If someone emails me a Word document, I’ll tell them to put it in Quip,” said Artivest Chief Investment Officer David Levine.

Microsoft has positioned its products, including PCs and tablets, as productivity tools that outshine the iPad’s capabilities, but the company’s moves to keep its software largely on its own platforms have not been paying off as the iPad has soared in popularity despite Microsoft’s efforts to paint it as a device solely for consumption in an extensive anti-iPad advertising campaign.

The slew of Office-style apps available for users has begun to motivate Microsoft to ramp up its deployment efforts, in the hope that it’s not too late to win back some customers. Office for iOS could come at any time, and news leaked earlier this week that Microsoft has plans to release a free version of its OneNote note-taking app on OS X to increase cross-platform compatibility and to compete with apps like Evernote.

The speed with which apps like Quip have been adopted is forcing Microsoft to intensify its efforts to bring the powerful but ageing Office software suite to tablets and smartphones, according to people close to the company.

“We have some pretty exciting plans,” said John Case, the top Office marketing executive, without giving any details. “Certainly, interest in Office on the iPad is extreme. When they (customers) want to do real work, they are going to want to use Office.”

Recent rumors have suggested a version of Office for the iPad will be available soon, though an exact release date is unclear. Microsoft is also working on an updated version of Office for Mac that should debut later in the year.

Aftermarket CarPlay Support Faces Technical Hurdles, Uncertain Future

While a recent report from a customer service representative indicated that Pioneer was exploring the possibility of bringing support for Apple’s new CarPlay iPhone vehicle integration to third-party dashboard systems and Mercedes-Benz acknowledged efforts to bring extend support to its own older vehicles, it appears that full support will take some time to appear given challenges involved in the implementation.

AppleToolbox spoke with both Volvo and Ferrari, two of Apple’s launch partners for CarPlay, and both manufacturers acknowledged that extending compatibility to older vehicles would be difficult, with Ferrari ruling out the possibility and instead promoting its alternative phone integration systems.

The new system CarPlay is available only on new range cars and cannot be installed on older ones. However, since we know that infotainment solutions are really important for our customers and also owners of older vehicles deserve the same care as all other customers, we developed an AfterMarket product aimed at offering last generation infotainment, completely compatible with most recent phones.

Volvo does not appear to have ruled out older model support for CarPlay entirely, but acknowledges that it would be difficult for the company to add that support.

We have not announced any plans for an aftermarket solution for Apple CarPlay. While I cannot reveal any potential future products, I can say that there are major roadblocks for this, both from a technical as well as from a usability point-of-view.

And despite Pioneer’s statement of interest earlier this week, which the company backed away from in a statement to AppleInsider, other third-party manufacturers are expressing reservations about whether they will even pursue CarPlay support. In an email to MacRumors, a Kenwood representative indicated that the firm would be “looking at” CarPlay but that adoption is not imminent.

I can tell you Apple CarPlay won’t be in any of our 2014 product. We will be looking at this operating system along with Google’s.

I haven’t had any discussions with our engineers regarding Apples willingness or unwillingness to extend into aftermarket.

Currently our [radios] support many of the features found on Apple CarPlay including SIRI control, AV content and even Navigation Apps, so perhaps this interface will have more of an impact with OEM systems that lack that kind of connectivity?

It’s clear that there remain a number of unknowns regarding CarPlay, and it seems that Apple has not kept third-party manufacturers abreast of its plans. As a result, it may yet be some time before those manufacturers can have proper discussions with Apple and explore just what it would entail to add CarPlay support to their products.

Apple’s ‘iPad Pro’ Plans Reportedly on Hold

Apple has “shelved” its plans to produce a larger-sized tablet, according to a report from Digitimes. Nicknamed the “iPad Pro”, the 12.9-inch tablet was rumored to be under development with a launch date possible early next year.

Apple’s alleged move comes as these larger tablets face hurdles because the form factors are not compatible with the existing ecosystems, forcing manufacturers to scale back on their plans, claims Digitimes.

However, most of the large-size tablet projects face difficulties because of lack of support from related platform developers and ecosystems. Apple has also been said to shelved its large-size tablet project.

Mockup of a 12.9-inch iPad next to a 13-inch MacBook Air
It is unclear whether Apple having “shelved” the iPad Pro is a permanent move or if the company is simply taking a wait-and-see attitude with the project for the time being.

Rumors of the iPad Pro first surfaced last May with a claimed early 2014 launch timeframe, but while a number of other sources have weighed in with their own claims about the device including word that production on the device’s display had already begun, targets for the device’s launch have slipped over time. Most recently, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has frequently offered accurate information on Apple’s product plans, suggested last month that while the iPad Pro remained under development, its launch would likely not come this year.

As rumors of a larger iPad gained steam throughout the latter half of 2013, Samsung moved to introduce its own product with the launch of a 12.2-inch tablet early this year.

Digitimes has a mixed track record with its reporting, frequently obtaining accurate information from within Apple’s supply chain, but on occasion seeming to misinterpret that information.

iOS 8 May Streamline Notification Center, Remove Game Center App, and More

Besides adding new Healthbook, TextEdit and Preview apps, Apple may also change existing pre-bundled applications in iOS 8, claims 9to5Mac. Apps slated for improvement include Notification Center, Voice Memos, Messages, Game Center and CarPlay.

Apple may be simplifying existing apps like Notification Center, doing away with the “All” and “Missed” views and combing them into one “Notifications” view. The new Notification Center will contain “Today” and “Notifications” views, making it easier for users to keep track of items that are immediately important. Voice Memos also will see a redesign with controls that distinguish between recording and playback functions.

Messaging may be tweaked with an optional auto-delete function that will remove older messages after a certain amount of time. This new feature would be useful for iOS owners who have older devices with less storage space and prefer not to use that valuable space to store old messages.

Apple also may remove Game Center as a standalone app from both iOS and OS X, opting instead to embed the functionality into games that support the social gaming service. The company also is considering improving inter-app communication by creating a new API that allows apps to share data.

For example, a future photo editing application could have the ability to push the edited content for upload via the Instagram or Facebook apps. The debut of the API has been in development for the past couple of years, and it had been removed from the launch version of iOS 7 last year for unspecified reasons. With that in mind, it is plausible that Apple could, again, choose to hold back the functionality.

As hinted by Volvo, CarPlay may be updated to support WiFi connections instead of relying on the lightning cable to link an iOS device to the car’s in-dash system.

From these early iOS 8 rumors, Apple appears to focusing on the overall experience by improving key apps like Maps, Siri and Notification Center and speeding up performance of the OS. The company is expected to unveil iOS 8 at WWDC later this year, with a release possible this fall.

Chinese Security Team Exploits Safari Security Flaw at PWN2OWN [Mac Blog]

Every year for the past seven years, hackers have gathered at the annual PWN2OWN event to hack high-profile software and mobile devices using previously unknown vulnerabilities. Apple’s Safari browser and iOS platform are often included in the annual contest, which also targets Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and Adobe’s Flash and Reader applications. This year, Safari was taken down on day two by a team of vulnerability researchers and exploit developers from China, reports ThreatPost.

China’s Keen team exploited two vulnerabilities that allowed the team to execute arbitrary code using a Safari WebKit flaw and circumvent Apple’s sandbox via an OS X system-level vulnerability. Speaking about the vulnerabilities they found, the Keen team stated that Apple’s OS X is difficult to exploit and the operating system overall is very secure.

“For Apple, the OS is regarded as very safe and has a very good security architecture,” Keen team member Liang Chen said. “Even if you have a vulnerability, it’s very difficult to exploit. Today we demonstrated that with some advanced technology, the system is still able to be pwned. But in general, the security in OS X is higher than other operating systems.”

Apple representatives attended the contest and were made aware of the security exploits used in the contest. This isn’t the first time Safari has been exploited during the contest. In 2011, a team of French security researchers compromised a MacBook by remotely running code within five seconds of contacting the machine.

Report Claims GT Advanced Will Only Supply 9% – 16% of iPhone 6 Sapphire Displays [iOS Blog]

A new report from DigiTimes Research is claiming that GT Advanced, the company that has partnered with Apple to open a sapphire plant in Mesa, Arizona, will only be able to produce anywhere from 9% to 16% of sapphire displays for Apple’s next generation iPhone. The report’s estimation was based on the company’s forecast sales of $188 to $348 million, which indicates that Apple will be able to output roughly 6.3 to 11.6 million sapphire displays.

Assuming that the new-generation iPhone will have a 5-inch screen, then the forecast sapphire revenues are translated into output of 6.27-11.6 million 5-inch sapphire-made screen covers. As Digitimes Research estimates that Apple will ship 70 million units of the new-generation iPhone in 2014, the output of sapphire screen covers frm GTAT will account for 9.0-16.6% of the iPhone shipments.

However, the details in the report strongly contrast that of an account from analyst Matt Margoils last month, who stated that GT Advanced purchased and received a total of 518 sapphire furnace and chamber systems with another 420 machines on order.

The analyst estimated that with the sheer amount of the equipment contained in its factory, GT Advanced could produce between 103 and 116 million displays per year, with an additional 84 to 94 million possible. This would indicate that Apple could produce 100 to 200 million ~5-inch sapphire displays, which would be enough for its entire line of devices. For reference, Apple sold approximately 150 million iPhones in 2013.

The integration of a larger, scratch-resistant sapphire display is widely rumored to be one of the key new features for the iPhone 6, as the company currently uses the material for small iPhone elements such as the camera lens and the home button of the iPhone 5s.

Apple is also said to be in the process of a trial run for an iPhone using a sapphire display, as CEO Tim Cook indicated during last month’s shareholders meeting that the company’s sapphire production facility was for a “secret project” he could not talk about. Apple’s next-generation iPhone is expected to be revealed later this year.