Author

Jordan Kahn

Dir. Partnerships

9to5Mac / 9to5Google / 9to5Toys / Electrek.co / DroneDJ / SpaceExplored

Jordan manages the internal Partner Program for sponsorships and partnerships across the 9to5 network’s media brands including 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, Electrek.co, SpaceExplored and DroneDJ.com.

Jordan also writes about all things Apple as a Senior Editor of 9to5Mac. He covers Google for 9to5Google.com, the best gadgets and deals on 9to5Toys.com, and EV and solar news on Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series and makes music sometimes.

Contact Jordan with partnership inquiries and long-winded complaints:

Connect with Jordan Kahn

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Aiptek shows off a combo projector/battery pack for iPhone 5 available starting this month (Video)

Jordan Kahn Sep 5 2013 - 6:42 pm PT

4 Comments

Aiptek, the company behind a number of mobile projector products that we’ve seen in the past, is about to release a brand new pico projector for iPhone 5 and we just got our first look at the product during the ShowStoppers IFA event in Berlin. Texas Instruments, who provides the DLP technology powering the product’s projection experience, was on hand tonight at ShowStoppers showing off the new “MobileCinema i55.” It’s similar to other pico projector cases Aiptek has launched in the past, but this time provides a couple new features on top of built-in Lightning connector support for the iPhone 5. We went hands-on and have a video of the product in action below the fold.
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The world’s thinnest touch surface from CSR could make iPad keyboard cases paper-thin by next year (Video)

Jordan Kahn Sep 5 2013 - 2:04 pm PT

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Companies like Logitech, Zagg and others have been making their iPad keyboard cases thinner and thinner with each generation, but a year from now we might be seeing accessory makers take advantage of a new technology from CSR— The world’s thinnest wireless touch surface that could make your iPad keyboard case paper-thin. The company develops a number of silicon, software, and wireless solutions for OEMs in the consumer electronics space, and tonight it showed off its new printable, flexible 0.5 mm thick touch surface for the first time during ShowStoppers, the official media showcase for the IFA consumer electronics show taking place here in Berlin.

CSR partnered with Atmel and Conductive Inkjet Technology (CIT) to develop the ultra-thin wireless touch surface. The device uses Atmel’s touch silicon to sense multiple contact points on a surface, and can offer a full touch surface or power optimised key detection. The flexible membrane is enabled by CIT printed conductors. CIT’s reel-to-reel printing process enables copper and other conductors to be applied to the surface of the ultra-thin and flexible membrane, and can be printed to fit a range of tablet shapes and sizes.

Not only is it the thinnest touch surface ever made, it’s also wireless thanks to built-in Bluetooth 4.0, which CSR tells us helped the prototype achieve “market leading battery life” in the thin form factor. It also has touch latency of about 12mS, which means no noticeable lag while typing, but also possibilities for gaming and other applications. It’s not just for iPad keyboards, however. Tablet keyboard cases might be the ideal form factor– and CSR agrees– but it can also create table-sized touch surfaces and even customizable layouts that can be easily and inexpensively added to the keyboard. The tech is capable of picking up handwriting and stylus input as well, so typing and keyboards are certainly not the only implementation that we could see in the near future.

While it’s still a prototype, the company tells us its in discussions with many OEMs that are interested in the technology and that we could see consumer products implementing the paper thin touch surfaces as early as the holiday season next year. Head past the break for our first look at the prototype from tonight’s ShowStoppers show at IFA in Berlin.
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“2K Drive” iOS exclusive lands on the App Store for $6.99

Jordan Kahn Sep 4 2013 - 9:00 pm PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOeno8XsIY8]

2K has been teasing its upcoming “2K Drive” title developed by Lucid Games in recent weeks, and tonight the game is officially landing in the App Store. The iOS exclusive won’t be going the popular freemium model route, as 2K has informed us it will be selling the iPhone/iPad game for $6.99. The game features a number of real world vehicles, 100+ unique events, 25+ tracks, and a “RaceFace” feature that will let users put their own face on their character in the game. Licensed vehicles include Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GM, Icon, Local Motors, Mazda, McLaren, Nissan and So-Cal. The game’s official launch trailer is above and full details are in the press release below.

2K Drive Now Available Worldwide for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

Immerse yourself in a new dynamic automotive experience for your mobile deviceJoin the conversation on Twitter using the hash tag #2KDrive

New York, NY – September 5, 2013 – 2K and Lucid Games, a boutique studio founded by creators of the Blur and Project Gotham Racing series, announced today that 2K Drive is now available for download from the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch for $6.99. 2K Drive is a cutting-edge racing simulator that brings the depth and richness of console-based driving mechanics to gamers on the go. Featuring high-quality licensed and original cars, iconic locations, precision controls, and an integrated feed for the latest automotive news, 2K Drive brings the fast-paced world of automotive racing culture right to gamers’ fingertips.

With a wide variety of racing modes for both single and multiplayer, 2K Drive promises a dynamic gaming experience for motorsports enthusiasts of all interest levels. Offering more than 100+ unique events on 25+ tracks in five environments, 2K Drive provides mobile gamers with the chance to get behind the wheel of more than 25 licensed cars, from manufacturers including Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GM, Icon, Local Motors, Mazda, McLaren, Nissan and So-Cal. And by using the “RaceFace” function, players can put their own face on their driver’s, as well as see their friends behind the wheels of their cars when playing in asynchronous multiplayer.

“2K Drive was designed to offer the most comprehensive driving simulation experience in today’s mobile market,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “The game successfully combines the appeal of a premier console racing game with some of the leading automotive editorial content available on the Web, to create an all-inclusive entertainment hub for auto-enthusiasts.”

Through the game’s live newsfeed and multiplayer options, 2K Drive also offers players the opportunity to build a strong, authentic connection with car enthusiasts and automotive communities. Gamers will have the opportunity to view video and photo galleries, as well as read, “like” and “share” the latest news from popular automotive blogs and outlets, such as Car & Driver, Road & Track, Autoblog,Between The White Lines (BTWL), CaniBeat, Cars X Hype, Distraction Control, DUB Magazine, eGarage, Electric Cars Report, Fatlace,The Lowdown, Hemmings Motor News, Hooniverse, My Life @ Speed, and My Ride Is Me.

“Lucid has been thrilled to work with 2K in creating a rich and authentic mobile gaming experience that transcends traditional racing games on the platform,” added Pete Wallace, studio head at Lucid Games. “2K Drive immerses players in a vast expanse of dynamic content that allows each user to tailor their individual experience to better suit their own interest and level of engagement with the auto genre.”

2K Drive is available for $6.99 from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.AppStore.com/2KDrive.

For the latest breaking news surrounding the game, look for updates on the 2K Drive Facebook and Twitter pages.

2K is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

About 2K

Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment globally for console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, which are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, sports, casual, and family entertainment. The 2K label has some of the most talented development studios in the world today, including Firaxis Games, Visual Concepts, Irrational Games, 2K Marin, 2K Australia, 2K Czech, Cat Daddy Games and 2K China. 2K’s stable of high quality titles includes the critically acclaimed BioShock®, Borderlands™ and XCOM® franchises, the beloved Sid Meier’sCivilization series, the popular WWE 2K franchise and NBA 2K, the #1 rated and #1 selling basketball franchise*. 2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). For more information, please visit www.2K.com.

*According to 2008 – 2013 Metacritic.com and The NPD Group estimates of U.S. retail video game sales through July 2013.

Canadian carrier Telus will discontinue 32 and 64GB iPhone 5 on September 28th, 16GB to remain on as mid-tier?

Jordan Kahn Sep 4 2013 - 2:27 am PT

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telus-iphone-5-disc

A new leaked doc from Canadian carrier Telus (via MobileSyrup) shows that the carrier has plans to discontinue the iPhone 5 on September 28 just days after the next-generation iPhones are rumored to launch. Although it would lend weight to the theory that Apple could get rid of the iPhone 5 since the rumored iPhone 5S and especially the lower cost iPhone 5C are so close internally to the current device, the doc only shows that the 32GB and 64GB models will be discontinued, which might be a clue the 16GB iPhone 5 will stick around as an entry level model.

Keeping the 16GB iPhone 5 seems to line up with what we’ve been hearing at Verizon and adds even more weight to the theory that Apple will keep the iPhone 5 around as a lower cost option perhaps in between the 5S and the 5C in much the same way that the last-gen iPhone 4S currently occupies the $99/plan spot in Apple’s lineup.

On the other hand, often-accurate KGI analyst Mingchi Kuo said earlier this month that he thinks Apple will stop selling the iPhone 5 at the end of Q3 2013 and continuing selling the iPhone 4S until the end of the year.

Apple yesterday sent out invites to the September 10th event and is expected to start selling the iPhone 5S and 5C starting around the 20th of September.

Update: Similar chatter is coming out of Vodafone Germany, indicating that the 32GB and 64GB iPhone 5 and 16GB iPhone 4S will soon be discontinued.

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Apple sends invites to Chinese media for special Sept. 11 event fueling China Mobile iPhone launch rumors [Update: events in Tokyo and Berlin as well]

Jordan Kahn Sep 3 2013 - 11:16 pm PT

9 Comments

Apple-China-Invite

One day after sending out invites to press in the US for its iPhone event scheduled for September 10 in Cupertino, Apple has just sent invites to Chinese media outlets inviting press to a special event in Beijing on September 11. Attached to the invite (above) is the same image and tagline hinting at iPhones in various colors that Apple included on the invites for its US event. Not only will it be the first time Apple hosts such an event in China, it is also a good indication that China Mobile, the world’s largest telecom, could soon finally announce a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to its approximately 700M subscribers.

Last month China Mobile’s chairman said the company was still working out “commercial and technical issues” with Apple but that “good progress was made in preparing for the commercialization of TD-LTE.” Following that report, the often reliable KGI analyst Mingchi Kuo said that Apple was ramping up TDD-LTE supported iPhone models earlier than expected. The new low-cost iPhone, alongside a higher-end next-gen iPhone on China Mobile could help Apple add some significant numbers to its shipments heading into the new year. Kuo said the new devices on China Mobile could possibly account for penetration of 25% and 35% in iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C shipments with around 1.5-2.5M units. That prediction is for Q3 alone, as Kuo expects even more units to ship as we move into China’s October Golden Holiday and Q4.

On September 10, Apple is expected to launch a new ‘iPhone 5S’ as a full-fledged upgrade to its current iPhone 5 that we reported will include a fingerprint reader, 128GB storage option, and a new gold color option. While that gold color option could help Apple move units to the high-end market in China and India where the color is popular, it’s also expected to debut a brand-new lower-cost iPhone (5C?) that analysts expect will sell for somewhere between $300 – $500. We’ll have to wait for official word from Apple to find out what will happen to its current lineup of iPhones, but it’s likely the company will keep the current iPhone 5, or possibly the iPhone 4S, around as a entry level model largely aimed at the enterprise market like the iPad 2.

Apple’s event in Beijing, China is set to kick off on Sept 11 at 10:00 AM local time (CST), but with the time difference the US and Beijing events will be only hours apart.
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Apple aims for convenience over value as competing iPhone trade-in firms continue to offer better deals

Jordan Kahn Aug 30 2013 - 11:19 am PT

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Cook at Palo Alto Apple Store (Getty Images)

Following our reports detailing the new service, Apple today officially kicked off its new Apple Store iPhone trade-in program that will see customers trading in old iPhones in exchange for credit towards an upgrade to a newer model. The initiative is part of Apple CEO Tim Cook’s new iPhone sales strategy and meant to be “competitive” with other trade-in services, but is it really the best option for getting the most out of your old iPhone before new devices get announced?

The new in-store program will fall under the same Reuse and Recycling marketing Apple uses for its online trade-in system, but for in-store trade-ins it has switched from partner PowerOn to Brightstar to determine the value of iPhones and handle the trade-ins. Apple employees are even encouraging customers to take advantage of the new trade-in offer when bringing in a damaged device to their local Apple Store, but we’ve found other services are currently offering much more for your used iPhone in good condition.
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Apple drops outside French PR firm Rumeur Publique, moves public relations in-house

Jordan Kahn Aug 30 2013 - 8:38 am PT

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Screen Shot 2013-08-30 at 11.32.40 AM

According to a report from French Apple blog Mac4Ever, Apple has just dropped the outside public relations company, Rumeur Publique, that it has used in recent years to handle communications with journalists in France. Instead Apple will now be moving its public relations in the country in-house as it does in the US and most other countries. A separate report from Macg.co notes that Rumeur Publique tells them Apple’s decision to move its press relations to an internal team was “not a surprise”, hinting that the transition has been in place while Apple beefs up its internal PR teams in the country. Apple already has its public relations teams located within the company for most countries, but the report notes that PRFection still handles Apple’s PR in Germany.

Apple offering free iTunes Festival songs in Apple Store app as part of sales push

Jordan Kahn Aug 29 2013 - 8:21 am PT

1 Comment

Continuing with its new push to offer free content to users through its Apple Store app, Apple today started offering users a selection of free songs under a new banner promoting the upcoming iTunes Festival. The new section promoting the iTunes Festival is currently offering six free songs with the offer set to expire on October 31. You can access the free content by navigating to a specific store location within the app, but the free content is currently only available to those in the US.

The song downloads follow Apple offering free apps such as Color Zen and free iBook titles through the Apple Store iOS app as part of a new sales push that we reported first back in July. The new initiative offers free content downloads through the Apple Store app as a way to boost content sales and awareness about the company’s App Stores, iTunes content, and iBooks. Apple Store employees are also being encouraged to install the Apple Store app on iOS devices sold in the store.

Apple iTunes Festival is scheduled to take place during the month of September in London, and the events will be streamed to iOS devices, iTunes, and even an app on the Apple TV.

Pioneer announces next-gen DDJ-WEGO2 DJ Controller for iPhone & iPad

Jordan Kahn Aug 29 2013 - 7:59 am PT

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Pioneer announced today that it’s soon releasing a next generation DDJ-WeGO2 DJ controller for iOS devices. The new version will feature the same multicolour LEDs, pulse control on a set of quality platters, USB power, built-in in and out audio ports, and optimizations and layouts ideal for Virtual DJ software on Mac, and Djay and other apps on iOS. Pioneer is now including a Lightning cable for easily connecting iPhones and iPads, and the DDJ-WeGO2 also features a handle that makes it truly ultra portable.

It’s also made the red, black, and white color schemes on offer cover the entire body of the controller this time around:

The DDJ-WeGO2 will be available in white, black and red to complement the user’s taste, with each color option now covering the entire controller body. The DDJ-WeGO2 colors also match the popular line of HDJ-500 DJ headphones. The controller features multi-color LED backlighting for the Jog wheel and a color-customizable user interface for the included software.

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 10.57.57 AM

It’s current DDJ-WEGO2 sells for as low as $260, but the next-generation will sell for $429 when it goes on sale in October.

BioShock Infinite and SimCity arrive for Mac gamers starting today

Jordan Kahn Aug 29 2013 - 5:54 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvrnUcB8ZJc]

A couple of big new games are landing today for Mac users. We told you about BioShock Infinite earlier this month, the third instalment in the popular 2K/Irrational Games series that originally launched in March to rave reviews on consoles. Mac gaming heavyweights Aspyr have been working on porting the game to Mac since its initial release, and today the game is finally going on sale through Aspyr’s GameAgent store and other retailers. Aspyr sent over a beta of the title last week, and we’ve had nothing but positive first impressions from our time with the game since. The other big Mac title launching today, SimCity, might have had some major issues in its beta, but we’re happy to report you won’t run into similar performance problems with BioShock Infinite.

As usual, the title will support SteamPlay, allowing users to purchase the game once and play on both PC and Mac through Steam. It’s also available on the Mac App Store. However, Aspyr’s own distribution service, GameAgent, is offering some pretty enticing pre-order bonuses if you pick up the title through them…
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Facebook releases new SDK to bring 3D iOS & Android Unity games to its 260 million gamers

Jordan Kahn Aug 28 2013 - 1:51 pm PT

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After Unity announced in March that it was beginning to work with Facebook to help bring web games using the engine to the social network, Facebook announced today that it’s releasing a new SDK to bring 3D Unity games from Android, iOS, and the web to Facebook. The cross-platform SDK will also allow developers to easier integrate Facebook sharing and game invite features directly into their unity games across mobile devices and the web.

Facebook has a relevant and engaged audience of gamers that mobile developers can reach by publishing their games on Facebook, and the SDK makes bringing a mobile game to web as simple as writing one line of code. By filling out a few fields in the developer app and giving us the URL of your game object, you can bring your mobile game to a whole new audience of avid gamers on Facebook.

The SDK will also let Unity developers implement native dialogs for inviting friends, requests, and sharing through Facebook, and the company will be “helping more people find and play Unity games on Facebook by driving discovery of the Unity player with a custom install flow for the Unity plug-in.”

Facebook noted that a few games, including Cmune’s UberStrike, Madfinger’s Shadowgun:Deadzone, and Nival’s King’s Bounty: Legions, are already utilizing the new SDK.

The Facebook SDK for Unity is available here.

Google Maps for iOS adds ability to share locations to Google+

Jordan Kahn Aug 28 2013 - 11:03 am PT

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Google updated its Google Maps app today for iPhone and iPad with one new feature on top of the usual bug fixes. With version 2.2.0, users can now share their locations directly to Google+ from within the Google Maps iOS app. Tapping the the share button will now provide a “Google +” option and users can also select specific circles to share with before posting. Previously users could only mail, message, or copy a location to the clipboard.

What’s New in Version 2.2.0

● Share your favorite places with friends via Google+
● Bug fixes

Apple looking to hire experienced plastics material engineer for iPhones/iPads; indicates work beyond internal parts?

Jordan Kahn Aug 28 2013 - 9:52 am PT

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Apple-Plastic-Job-listing

Leading up to the unveiling of a new lower-cost plastic ‘iPhone 5C’ expected at Apple’s September 10 event next month, Apple is looking to hire an “experienced plastics material engineer” to work on iPhones and iPads. The engineer would join Apple’s iPhone/iPad Materials team and must have “extensive experience in plastic material properties, part design and fabrication.” While we know the current iPhone and iPads do use some internal plastic parts, the job listing also makes mentions of aesthetic requirements as well as experience in “plastic materials and design for manufacturing in terms of geometry and cosmetic quality.” That could be a hint the position will involve more than just the design of internal plastic parts.

There have been a ton of unconfirmed leaks claiming to show the plastic lower cost iPhone’s colourful back casings, but we posted the first photos of the next gen full-sized iPad back in January showing the device will borrow its design aesthetic from the iPad mini. It would be a stretch to imagine Apple might be working on a lower-cost, plastic iPad, but it is something it prototyped early on. Apple is expected to unveil the new lower-cost plastic iPhone alongside the new iPhone 5S at its event next month. There have been some conflicting reports this morning regarding the iPads, but we’re still expecting new iPads to be announced a later event.

Logitech announces Ultrathin multi-touch Bluetooth mouse made to match your MacBook

Jordan Kahn Aug 28 2013 - 6:13 am PT

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Logitech is announcing a line of new super slim, touch enabled Bluetooth mice today that might finally give Mac users a great alternative to Apple’s own multi-touch Magic Mouse. While both mouses feature the same specs and multi-touch enabled surface, Logitech is marketing the black version for Windows Ultrabook users, while the white version has been made specifically for OS X users to match the all-aluminum body of MacBooks.

“Whether it’s a computer, tablet, smartphone or touch-navigation device, people are looking for thin, modern design that works fluidly,” said Charlotte Johs, Logitech global vice president of brand development. “We created the Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse to give people an ultraportable mouse that complements today’s MacBook and Ultrabook computers.”

The Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T631 for Mac (as well as the T630 for Ultrabooks) features a brushed metallic body, “feather-light” design at 70g, and comes in at 85 mm x 59mm x 18 mm. It also includes USB charging, Logitech’s Easy-Switch Bluetooth technology for switching between devices, and optimizations for OS X touch gestures. The company says you can expect to get around 1 hour of use from 1 minute of charge time. Logitech clarified that the mouse gets around 10 hours max battery life on a full charge:

the Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse is much longer than one hour — it can last up to 10 days on a full charge, based on typical user experiences. It charges very quickly, and just one minute of charge time will give you up to one hour of power.

The Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T631 for Mac in white will be available in the US and Europe in November, while the Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630 in black will be available in both markets starting in next month. Both will sell for $69.99 and are available to preorder now through Logitech’s website starting today.

Apple broke PlexConnect Apple TV hack with this morning’s update

Jordan Kahn Aug 27 2013 - 2:26 pm PT

7 Comments

UPDATE: Workaround now available to restore access

Thanks to an easy DNS hack called PlexConnect, non-jailbroken Apple TV users have been able to unofficially run the popular media server Plex on the second and third gen Apple TV since we first told you about it back in June. The hack, which required users to run an app on their Mac or PC that masquerades as the Trailers app, appears to be blocked in the latest Apple TV update pushed out this morning.

Earlier today Apple rolled out an update to the Apple TV that introduced new apps for Vevo, The Weather Channel, Smithsonian, Disney Channel, and Disney XD. The update didn’t require users to initiate a firmware update, so many users are reporting waking up to the PlexConnect app no longer working through the Trailers hack. A growing number of users on the Plex forums confirmed that PlexConnect is unable to connect following this morning’s update.

It’s unclear if Apple is intentionally blocking the popular Plex hack or whether its possibly a result of tweaks to the Trailers app delivered with the update. Plex isn’t the only app that takes advantage of the hack. We reported earlier this year that a Russian subscription TV service was using a similar method.

Ebay updates ‘Fashion’ & ‘Motors’ apps w/ iPad support, adds interactive maps to StubHub

Jordan Kahn Aug 27 2013 - 9:23 am PT

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Ebay has updated some of its mobile apps today with new features and support for additional devices. Its Motors and Fashion apps, which provide dedicated experiences for browsing vehicles and fashion products on eBay, today get support for iPad. The Motors app also gets a redesign for iPad, improved search, and updated layouts on both iPhone and iPad.

Ebay also updated its StubHub iOS apps today with new interactive maps for the upcoming pro and college football and basketball seasons. You can now “filter listings by section on 1,800+ maps and see the view from your section on more than 400 maps.”

The updated StubHub, eBay Motors, and eBay Fashion apps are available for free on the App Store now.

Nine Inch Nails’ new album, ‘Hesitation Marks’, now streaming free on iTunes

Jordan Kahn Aug 27 2013 - 6:18 am PT

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Hesitation-Marks-iTunes-Stream

After releasing its first single in nearly 5 years with “Came Back Haunted” and returning to play its first North American gig in nearly four years for Lollapalooza, the wait is almost over for the release of Nine Inch Nails’ much anticipated full length album entitled “Hesitation Marks.” For those that can’t wait five days for the album’s official release, Apple today started streaming the album in its entirety for free on iTunes.

The stream is currently working only for users in the US, but we’ve seen that exclusivity window lift after a day or two with free iTunes streams in the past. If you remember, the last big album to stream on iTunes was Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories.” It too started as a US only stream an eventually became available elsewhere. Here’s to hoping that Apple doesn’t make it as easy to download a full, high-quality version of the album like it did with Daft Punk and other iTunes streams before it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRrQrow-PK0

Virgin is selling iPhones at next month’s prices (20% off), iPhone 5 starts at $440 unsubsidized

Jordan Kahn Aug 27 2013 - 12:01 am PT

3 Comments

iPhone 5

From 9to5Toys.com:

Today only, Virgin Mobile is offering prepaid iPhones at up to 20% off. These are some of the best price we’ve seen and the lowest price from this carrier by as much as $110. You can pick up the 16GB iPhone 5 starting at just $440. The 8GB iPhone 4 is available for $280 and the 16GB 4S is $360 right now as well. This discounted prices will appear once the item is added to your cart. Also you must be transferring from another carrier.

Apple iPhone 5 16GB: $439.99 (Reg. $550)
Apple iPhone 5 32GB: $519.99 (Reg. $650)
Apple iPhone 5 64GB: $599.99 (Reg. $750)

Poll: Which iPhone 5S/5C color would you choose?

Jordan Kahn Aug 26 2013 - 8:22 am PT

10 Comments

Rumor has it Apple is about to introduce an iPhone 5S alongside a new lower-cost iPhone 5C at an event early next month. On top of a fingerprint sensor and iOS 7, it’s also expected to introduce new color options for the device for the first time. We’ve already reported that Apple has plans to introduce a new gold color option for its next generation iPhone and, if leaks are to be believed, the lineup will also include a selection of iPod-like colors for the lower-cost iPhone 5C. A report this morning claimed that Apple could even introduce a fourth grey or ‘graphite’ color iPhone 5S pictured above, but we’re skeptical to say the least.

Will Apple’s new iPhone colors be a hit with consumers? Or will you be sticking with the classic white or black iPhone when it comes time to upgrade? Let us know in the polls below:

iPhone 5S:

iPhone 5C:

Remember what the iPhone 5 looked like in all the pre-announcement leaks?

Let me remind you; http://t.co/vWv9ZAUUx2 http://t.co/AxR3F51DHn

— 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓 (@sentry) August 26, 2013

Apple reportedly testing changes to App Store ranking algorithms, now including user ratings

Jordan Kahn Aug 23 2013 - 11:36 am PT

5 Comments

apprankgraph

According to a new report from research firm Fiksu, which regularly tracks changes to App Store charts, Apple might be experimenting with new algorithms for iTunes and App Store rankings that incorporate user ratings. Apple previously only used the number of downloads and how fast an app was being downloaded in order to rank apps for its top charts, but Fisku thinks it has recently started incorporating user rankings:

In late July, we first began to notice apps unexpectedly shifting position without a corresponding increase or decrease in downloads. Upon closer inspection, we discovered these position changes correlated with the apps’ ratings. As evidenced by the graph below, apps with ratings of 4 or more stars received a rank boost in late July and have maintained that rank throughout August. Poorly rated apps with less than 3 stars received the opposite treatment about two weeks later, dropping off precipitously in rank and staying that way. Average rated apps, between 3 and 4 stars, suffered a slight degradation in rank but have generally been less affected.

The report also notes that, in recent weeks, Apple appears to be updating App Store charts every three hours opposed to the 15 minute intervals it was using previously. Fisku speculates that the increase could be to help prevent manipulation of the app charts, noting that “three hours allows enough time to identify anomalies and remove apps before they suddenly appear at the top of the rankings.”
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Using Steve Jobs email as evidence, DOJ says Apple changed in-app purchase policy to retaliate against Amazon

Jordan Kahn Aug 23 2013 - 9:16 am PT

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Steve-Jobs-Email-ebook-Amazon

As first spotted by GigaOm, the US Department of Justice has submitted a revised remedy proposal in the ongoing ebook case that previously found Apple guilty of conspiring with publishers to control ebook pricing. While much of the proposal remains the same as the proposal it first submitted at the beginning of this month, the report points out that the DOJ has added more information and a Steve Jobs email as an exhibit showing that Apple changed its in-app purchasing policies specifically “to retaliate against Amazon for competitive conduct that Apple disapproved of.”

While referencing the email above in which Steve Jobs and Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller discuss forcing Amazon to go through Apple’s payment system, the DOJ claims Apple “misrepresented the factual circumstances” since it allows other retailers to bypass its 30% cut:
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Apple opens iWork for iCloud beta to all users ahead of expected public release this fall

Jordan Kahn Aug 23 2013 - 6:11 am PT

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Screen+Shot+2013-08-23+at+13.58.42

After first announcing its new iWork for iCloud productivity suite back in June at WWDC, Apple has been slowly rolling out access to more people ahead of a public beta release scheduled for this fall. It first extended the privilege to developers, then Apple employees, and in July started sending out invites to select non-developers. Today, several tips note that Apple now appears to be letting in anyone with an Apple ID despite not sending out invites or officially announcing a public beta. We’ve confirmed access to the beta on a non-developer account, but let us know in the comments if you’re unable to get in.

Following the unveiling of the new iWork for iCloud suite, we speculated that Apple could possibly move to make its other iWork suite of apps on iOS and Mac available for free. Our thinking: it’s hard to imagine Apple allowing users to create documents for free on iCloud but not seamlessly transfer from iOS to Mac without having to throw down $30 for the three iOS apps. Adding even more weight to that theory, Apple was briefly showing the apps listed alongside the collection of free Apple apps that it presents most users with when launching the App Store on their iOS device for the first time.

Apple previously announced it was planning on releasing a public beta for iWork for iCloud this fall but perhaps is opening the beta today to help beta test the apps among a larger group of users ahead of an official announcement. Apple is expected to unveil new iPhones at an event next month on Sept. 10, and there is a possibility we’ll hear more about iWork for iCloud alongside details for Mavericks and possibly the new Mac Pro.

Report: Apple negotiating w/ media companies for pay TV service, working on full-fledged TV set

Jordan Kahn Aug 22 2013 - 8:55 am PT

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A new report from Quartz today offers some details on Apple’s content negotiations for a much rumored revamped Apple TV. Most of the report echoes what we’ve heard several times in the past– Apple is apparently talking with HBO, Disney, MTV and others about a new TV service. According to Quartz, it could include a pay TV service that would see Apple “essentially becoming a cable company itself,” as well as the release of a “full-fledged television set”:

One alternative being considered is that Apple could essentially become a cable company itself. Under that scenario, sources say, Apple would launch what is formally known as a virtual multichannel video programming distributor. Apple is still interested in striking deals with cable companies that would allow people to plug their cable lines into the back of the TV set, bypassing a cable box, sources say. But at least two years of negotiations haven’t progressed very far.

Sources say Apple has concluded that it doesn’t need all, even most, content providers on board before it can release a TV set that people would buy. It just needs enough good programming to distinguish the new product, which will try to simplify the experience of connecting internet video to the TV.

The report doesn’t offer up any details that we didn’t hear around this same time last year (and the year before that), but it appears Apple could be closer to reaching the deals it needs to launch the next-generation of Apple TV. Earlier today we reported that former Hulu SVP Pete Distad has now officially started his new role at Apple as Product Marketing VP and is thought to be leading Apple executives through negotiations with cable and media companies.
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Hulu SVP Pete Distad starts work at Apple as Product Marketing VP

Jordan Kahn Aug 22 2013 - 8:12 am PT

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Pete Distad, who was previously SVP of Marketing and Distribution at Hulu, has officially started his new role as VP of Product Marketing at Apple this month, according to a change to Distad’s LinkedIn page over the last week. Hulu’s executive bios page appears to be down as well, possibly while it’s updated to remove Distad’s bio.

Bloomberg reported in July that it heard Apple was recruiting Distad to lead negotiations as Apple was reportedly close to reaching a deal with Time Warner. At Hulu, Distad was responsible for content distribution and customer acquisition/retention on the company’s management team. That includes “subscriber acquisition and retention, paid, on-channel, and brand marketing, distribution and promotional partnerships, and content marketing.”

In its July report, Bloomberg said that Apple and Time Warner planned to “announce an agreement within a few months” that would bring Time Warner TV shows to the Apple TV. The report claimed Distad was being hired to help with negotiations with cable and media companies.

In June Apple added Time Warner’s HBO GO, as well as WatchESPN, Sky News and more to its existing Apple TV service, but reports over the last year surrounding a much-anticipated revamped Apple TV claimed Apple was hitting various roadblocks with cable companies.

A new report today from Quartz offered some updates on Apple’s continued negotiations with content providers for a pay TV service.

Earlier this week we reported that Apple picked up Levi’s Senior VP Enrique Atienza for its U.S. retail team.