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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Attorney General calls T-Mobile’s no-contract plans ‘deceptive’, carrier agrees to offer refunds and change advertising

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2013 - 11:36 am PT

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T-Mobile-uncarrier-no-contract-plans Following the launch of T-Mobile’s new “Uncarrier” strategy alongside the $99 iPhone 5 and new no subsidy pricing plans last month, today the Washington State Attorney General has ordered T-Mobile to change its advertising calling its promise to offer no annual contracts “deceptive”.

The result of a court order filed by Attorney General Bob Ferguson and signed by T-Mobile will ensure the carrier’s commitment to changing advertising in order to properly outline “the limitations of its new no-contract” service plans. It will also allow “customers duped by the deceptive ads to exit their contracts with no penalty.”

“As Attorney General, my job is to defend consumers, ensure truth in advertising, and make sure all businesses are playing by the rules,” Ferguson said. “My office identified that T-Mobile was failing to disclose a critical component of their new plan to consumers, and we acted quickly to stop this practice and protect consumers across the country from harm.”

More specifically, the Attorney General’s investigation found T-Mobile “failed to disclose that customers who purchase a phone using the 24-month payment plan” would be required to stay with T-Mobile’s plans for 24 months or pay the balance owed on the phone in order to cancel their service. T-Mobile has been working with the Attorney General’s Office to come to a solution and has now agreed to the following terms:
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Wunderlist ‘Pro’ arrives today with new team collaboration features for $4.99/month

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2013 - 9:00 am PT

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6 Wunderkinder, the developers behind the ‘Wunderlist’ to-do app that’s currently home to over 4 million users, today announced a new “Pro” version of the cross platform productivity app. Launching today on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and on the web, the new pro version comes with the introduction of the developer’s first premium model that will see users pay $4.99 a month (or $49.99 a year) to get access to new team oriented collaboration features:

• Assigning – now you can add an extra level of accountability and assign tasks to your colleagues

and friends.
• Unlimited subtasks – sometimes the task on hand is so big that you need to break it down into

small manageable subtasks. Now you can add as little or as many needed to get the job done.
• Backgrounds – Wunderlist Pro subscribers will have access to eight new backgrounds – from a minimal dark wood and soothing sands to vibrant florals and the Paris cityscape, plus a whole lot more!

6 Wunderkinder plans to keep adding additional features for pro users, including the ability to attach and share files through tasks:

Files will be the next feature to be added to Wunderlist Pro. With the support of Files you will be able to attach files to a task and share with your colleagues, for improved collaboration outside of just the to-dos.

The Pro upgrade for Wunderlist is available now as an in-app purchase in the Wunderlist iPhone & iPad app as well as the Mac App Store app and on the web.

Those that plan on sticking with the free version of Wunderlist will also be greeted today with new features in update 2.1.0 of the app. Among them is a new Action Bar and other UI improvements such as the ability to “Get a quick overview as to who created and completed a task with the Detail View.”

LinkedIn launches revamped “Contacts” feature alongside new standalone iPhone app

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2013 - 7:29 am PT

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As part of its new revamped Contacts section coming soon for select users on the desktop, LinkedIn today is also launching a standalone Contacts app for iPhone that allows users to manage address books, emails, and calendars by contact and access all content related to specific contacts from one easy to access location. The Contacts app will also provide alerts for changes to jobs and birthdays, and allow you to access meetings and past conversations directly from an individual’s Contacts profile:

LinkedIn Contacts brings together all your address books, emails, and calendars, and keeps them up to date in one place. From these sources, we’ll automatically pull in the details of your past conversations and meetings, and bring these details directly onto your contact’s profile.

The new Contacts service is apparently rolling out over the coming weeks with invitations being sent out to select individuals within the United States. You can already sign up for the wait list through LinkedIn’s new Contacts website here, and the free standalone iOS app is available for download on the App Store now.

Last month LinkedIn launched a redesigned iOS app with a revamped UI and new features.

A full list of features for the new iPhone app below:

• All your contacts in one place – We bring together all of your address books, emails, and calendars, and keep them up to date so you don’t have to

• Never miss an opportunity to stay in touch – Get alerted on job changes and birthdays in your network, a perfect opportunity to say hello

• See where you left off the conversation – Review your most recent correspondence with a contact before picking up the phone

• Discover more about who you’re meeting with – Prepare for your day with details on each person you’re meeting

• Find the right person for the task at hand – Sort contacts by recent conversation and filter by company or location

Iron Man 3 – The Official Game now available on App Store ahead of upcoming movie

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2013 - 6:39 am PT

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From 9to5Toys.com:

Ahead of the official May 3rd launch of the Iron Man 3 feature film, today Gameloft has released the iOS app tie-in taking place after the events of the movie. According to the game’s iTunes page, Iron Man 3 sees the player take up the role of peacekeeper playing as Tony Stark in an “additive, endless 3D runner”.

Iron Man 3 – The Official Game is available on the App Store now for free.

Included in the game is 3 different locations with “endless, self-generating levels”, 18 suits from the various Iron Man movies, and much more:

THE OFFICIAL GAME OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED SUPERHERO MOVIE OF 2013!

– Fight around the world against rising A.I.M. forces

– Discover 3 different locations offering endless, self-generating levels: Malibu Shores, New York City, and China

– Confront 4 epic villains from the Iron Man comics: Crimson Dynamo, Ezekiel Stane, Living Laser, and the mighty M.O.D.O.K.

– Complete various missions in fast-paced flying battles, and in epic one-on-one confrontations

– Unleash Iron Man’s power with amazingly responsive swipe controls

– Enjoy an outstanding 3D world with cutting-edge graphics and animations

– Research and develop up to 18 suits from the different movies (Mark II, Mark 42, Silver Centurion, etc.)

– Upgrade your armors and powers in the research lab to wipe out your enemies

XCOM: Enemy Unknown – Elite Edition now available on Mac, includes additional DLC

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2013 - 5:20 am PT

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wiFE_ZPR0o]

From 9to5Toys.com:

Firaxis and 2K Games have officially launched the critically acclaimed XCOM: Enemy Unknown on Mac today. Known as the Elite Edition, the Feral ported Mac version will come with the base game, the Slingshot Pack, the Elite Soldier Pack and the Second Wave update as well as some wallpapers and the soundtrack for $49.99.

The Slingshot and Elite Soldier DLC brings additional character customization as well as extra council missions and the “Shaojie Zhang” soldier. The Second Wave update introduced a host of new game modifiers that add a lot more flexibility to the experience.

Just like the game’s Windows release, the Mac version will also include the LAN and online multiplayer options. Keep your eye out for the re-reveal of the highly anticipated XCOM shooter expected to be detailed in the coming days (and iOS version of Enemy Unknown coming this summer).

XCOM: Enemy Unknown – Elite Edition (Mac) $49.99

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Fandango iOS app gets faster ticket purchasing & special offers for Visa Signature users, improved Facebook sharing, and more

Jordan Kahn Apr 24 2013 - 3:49 pm PT

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Fandango, the movie ticket service that is currently integrated into Siri, today announced an update to its iOS app for iPhone and iPad. On top of enhancements that lets iPad users scroll through photos & videos and view in full screen mode, the app also now features the ability for Visa Signature account holders to purchase tickets faster and receive special offers by saving their card. The feature is only available on the iPhone initially and comes alongside better Facebook sharing options by creating and signing into a Fandango account.

A full list of what’s new below:

What’s New in Version 5.6

• iPad users – now scroll through photos & videos and view in full screen
• Feeling social? Sign into your Fandango account to manage Facebook sharing
• Visa Signature account holders – save your card for faster ticket purchasing & access to special offers with TIXPRESS™! (iPhone only)
• General bug fixes & usability enhancements

$50,000 buys you a cup of coffee…with Tim Cook at Apple HQ

Jordan Kahn Apr 24 2013 - 11:03 am PT

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Tim-Cook-Charity-Buzz-auction

Apple CEO Tim Cook appears to be offering up his services to charity auction site Charitybuzz in hopes of raising an estimated $50,000 to support the The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. By services we mean the winning bidder will get the opportunity to have coffee with Apple’s top exec at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The auction listing notes that it was “Donated by: Tim Cook” and after opening earlier this morning currently has two bids of just over $5,000.

The estimated value for the auction is set at $50,000, and the winning bid will get two lucky individuals the chance to sit down with the CEO for 30min to 1 hour. However, bids don’t include travel or accommodations and Cook’s guests will also be “subject to security screening” before hand to weed out the crazies. (via @Ihnatko)

If you can’t afford Tim Cook, former U.S. President Bill Clinton is available for less than half the price (via).
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NFL ’13 iOS app updated with live coverage, second-screen experience & push notifications for 2013 NFL Draft

Jordan Kahn Apr 24 2013 - 6:27 am PT

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NFL-13-draft-live-iOS-app NFL Enterprises has updated its NFL ’13 app today to offer live coverage and a new second screen experience to a number of users directly through the app for the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft. NFL Network subscribers on COX, Cablevision, and FiOS in the US will have access to the live coverage on their iPads, while all users will be able to access a second-screen experience dubbed “Draft Extra” to enhance the event.

Other updates include a new custom push notifications for players, teams, and rounds, as well as additional live coverage for the Draft. Verizon customers can check out Draft Live on the NFL Mobile App.

What’s New in Version 3.10

– Follow the 2013 NFL Draft Live! COX, Cablevision and FiOS customers with NFL Network can sign in to watch NFL Network on their iPads (US Only). All other customers can watch NFL.com/LIVE at the Draft.
-Draft Xtra a second-screen experience designed to enhance the event
– Custom push notifications by player, team and round
– Plus all NFL.com Draft coverage – News, analysis and mock draft coverage
– Verizon customers can watch the Draft Live on the NFL Mobile App

FreedomPop announces network expansion for nationwide coverage alongside new 3G/4G ‘Overdrive Pro’ hotspot

Jordan Kahn Apr 24 2013 - 6:27 am PT

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Update: A 9to5Mac reader has chimed in clarifying that the new hotspot only offers the free 500MB plan on the new Sprint-enabled 4G service. For 3G coverage, users will have to pay an additional $3.99 per month:

Although their website and press release say the new Overdrive comes with free data every month, there’s apparently a string. Apparently only the 4G data is free, see my email thread with customer service below. This is wholly inconsistent with what their website or press release indicates… This tactic is as deceptive as when FreedomPop first went live. At that time, they said the devices were “free with deposit” but it now turns out that if you keep the device for 12 months or more, the deposit is forfeited. That forfeiture is buried deep within the TOS, and not likely understood by consumers until it’s time to return their hardware.

Wireless provider FreedomPop, the company providing access to free monthly data plans through a number of hotspot devices and iOS device accessories, today announced it is expanding its 3G coverage through Sprint’s network to provide nationwide coverage to its customers.

“The biggest criticism with our service to date has been the coverage gaps in certain parts of the country,” said Stephen Stokols, FreedomPop’s CEO. “Starting today, FreedomPop users can connect to the Internet across the entire nation leaving no reason to continue paying high monthly Internet bills for Internet from large, expensive carriers.”

In addition to the network expansion, it is also now accepting preorders for its latest hotspot device dubbed “Overdrive Pro” (pictured above):

The FreedomPop Overdrive Pro becomes the company’s first device to run on Sprint’s network. The Overdrive Pro will allow up to five devices to connect to it and get speeds up to 8 mbps down. In addition to FreedomPop’s free 500 MB plan, users can also purchase a 2 GB or 4 GB 4G/3G plan with no contract or annual commitment at rates up to 50 percent less than major carriers.

FreedomPop offers users free data (with the option to purchase more) ranging from 500MB to 2GB per month through devices such as its $99 WiMAX sleeve for iPod touch or the recently announced $89 Burst 4G home wireless router. It also has an iPhone 4/4S case that is awaiting Federal Communication Commission approval and told us in February it plans to roll out LTE service and a new LTE iPad clip later this year.

Tumblr updates iOS app with new sharing features, save later with Pocket, animated GIFs, & more… now with ads

Jordan Kahn Apr 24 2013 - 6:10 am PT

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On top of the recent announcement that it will be bringing sponsored posts, aka advertisements, to its mobile apps, Tumblr today released an updated iOS app that includes new sharing features, the ability to save content for later reading, new templates for sharing posts through email, and much more.

Other enhancements include animated GIFs while scrolling, an alphabetized and searchable Following list, and support for sharing directly to Twitter and Facebook. A full list of what’s new in version 3.3.1 of the universal iOS app is below:

What’s New in Version 3.3.1

Now you can do more than just reblog when you find something you love.

– Share posts via Twitter, Facebook, and more
– Save stuff for later using Instapaper and Pocket
– Email an entire post with our beautiful new template
– Fling a photo up or down to close it!
– GIFs animate while you scroll*
– Following list is now alphabetized and searchable

*iPad 2, 3 and 4, iPad Mini, iPod Touch 5th Generation, iPhone 4S and 5 only

Tim Cook admits that iMac launch should have been postponed to avoid delays for customers

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 3:05 pm PT

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imac

When asked about staggered product launches during the Q&A of Apple’s Q2 2013 earnings call today, Apple CEO Tim Cook admitted that he wished Apple would have postponed the launch of the new iMac until after the holiday season in order to avoid the significant delays that customers experienced in the initial months of launch:

I don’t spend a lot of time looking back… If we could run it over, i would have announced the iMac after the turn of the year… we felt our customers had to wait too long for that specific product… Where the iPad mini was in shortage in the December quarter, I would not have done that differently because we were able to get the product out to many customers that wanted it. In retrospect, I wish it [iMac] was after the turn of the year so customers would not have had to wait as long as they did.

When Apple first launched the all new, slimmed down iMac lineup leading up to the holidays in October of last year, Tim Cook quickly confirmed that Apple would run into some significant component constraints and delays for the product. The months following launch saw major delays with customers ordering the product having to wait weeks to receive their shipments and some models pushed back as far as December.

Apple says iCloud now has 300 million users, up 20% since January

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 2:54 pm PT

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icloud_logo

During its live Q2 2013 earnings call today, Apple execs confirmed that iCloud now boasts 300 million users. That’s up about 20 percent from the 250 million it had in January despite the service continuing to experience relatively regular outages over the last few months.

Tim Cook talks product pipeline, 5-inch iPhone, growth in China, supply chain, and more

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 2:44 pm PT

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51091983tim-cook

Apple CEO Tim Cook is currently answering questions from the press following the company’s live Q2 2013 earnings call. Here are some of the highlights:

Cook on growth in China:

We had our best quarter ever in greater China. Revenue came in at 8.8B. That’s up 11 percent y-o-y. It’s the same as Apple’s growing… iPads grew 138% y-o-y… set new records for sell through for iPhone…

Added about 8000 iPhone point of sales, plan to add more and further grow our distribution. Innovating with our online store there and adding different functionality to the store. China has an usually large number of potential first time smartphone buyers… We’ve seen a significant interest in iPhone 4 there and recently made it even more affordable to make it even more attractive to first time buyers.

Cook on competition:

“In the beginning RIM was the strongest player. Of course today our top competitor from a hardware point of view would be Samsung, and married to Google on the software side. They’re obviously tough competitors but we feel we have the best products by far… continue to feel very confident about our product pipeline. We have the best ecosystem by far. We’re going to keep augmenting it and making it better and better. I feel very good about our competitive position.”

On new product pipeline:

“I’m just saying we’ve got really great stuff coming in the fall, and across all of 2014.”

Cook on confidence level in supply chain and moving to new vendors:

“I have incredible confidence. We exited the March quarter with no shortages. The December quarter you’re referring to is the largest for Apple.. The reality is the work we do to create truly innovate products is hard… I would assure you we are working very closely with our manufacturing partners for what we feel is a very exciting roadmap.”

On a larger screen iPhone:

My view continues to be that iPhone 5 has the absolute best display in the industry. We always strive to create the very best display for our customers. Some customers value large screen sizes. Others value other factors such as resolution, white balance, color, portability, clarity, compatibility with apps… Our competitors have made some significant trade offs in many areas in order to ship a larger display. We will not ship a larger display iPhone while these trade offs exist.

On Mac market:

The reason we were down last quarter, we were down 2%, is because the market is incredibly weak. It’s the largest decline I remember from being in this industry for a long time. It’s certainly true that some iPads cannabalized some Macs. I don’t think it was a huge number but i do think it was some… That said, i don’t think this market is a dead market or a bad market by any means… We’re going to continue to innovate in it… if anything the huge growth in tablets might end up benefiting the Mac… People may be more willing to buy a Mac… We’re going to continue making the best personal computers. Our strategy is no changing. we delivered some incredible innovation last year with the Retina Display MacBook Pro.

Apple updates iAd Producer with support for iBooks Author widgets, iTunes LPs, iTunes Extras, more

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 1:29 pm PT

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Apple’s iAd Producer tool for creating HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript ads for its iAd platform gets updated to version 4.0 today and adds a number of notable new features on top of some performance enhancements that Apple outlined in a knowledge base article. The updated app now allows users to create iBooks Author widgets, iTunes LPs, and iTunes Extras. Apple provides more information on the new features, such as creating an iBooks Author Widget for iBooks Author projects on the iAd Producer support page:

You can create an iBooks Author widget for use in your iBooks Author projects. For example, you can create a widget that allows users to stream video from the Internet, draw using their finger, or interact with a timeline.

A full list of what’s new in iAd Producer 4.0 including: folder-based organization support, new HTML, Stack, Drawing, and Panorama objects, in-app quick previews, CSS filter support for objects, and much more below:

New in iAd Producer 4.0

This release contains a number of new features and improvements

Improved Object library interface
Improved Actions library interface
Support for folder-based organization in the asset library
New HTML, Stack, Drawing, and Panorama objects
New actions for adding and removing CSS classes, animating background position, animating image masks, and text slide-in animation
Support for applying CSS filters as well as image and gradient masks to objects.
In-app quick preview
Project-wide search in the Code Editor
Better export performance
Improved menu layout
Improved font support, including support for OpenType fonts
Improved rulers and alignment guides
Enhanced inspectors, with pop-up color pickers, and gradient sliders that now represent opacity
Support for QuickLook previews in iAd Producer project files
Support for iTunes LP, iTunes Extras, and iBook Author widget project types
Other fixes and improvements

(via MacStories)

Apple now selling refurbished 7th gen iPod nano, drops prices on refurbed iPads

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 9:23 am PT

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Screen Shot 2013-04-23 at 12.18.01 PM

From 9to5Toys.com:

After it started offering a selection of refurbished 5th generation iPod touch through the Apple online store earlier this month, Apple today began selling the refurbished 16GB, 7th generation iPod nano in various colors for $129. That’s $20 or 13% off retail, but we’ve seen these refurbished units go for as low as $119 on 9to5Toys.

Apple today also began selling the refurbished iPad 2 and iPad 3 at even lower prices than before with the 16GB iPad 2 with WiFi + 3G now starting at $349 (roughly $180 off retail). Apple has also further discounted its refurbished iPad 3 with WiFi and cellular to a starting price of $409 ($170 off retail). That provides consumers with an additional $50 off its old refurbished prices and matches the best price we’ve seen on 9to5Toys.

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FedEx Mobile iOS app gets ‘Delivery Manager’ with customized delivery options, lets users sign for packages

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 7:06 am PT

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsDjJQzAhi4

FedEx has updated its iOS app today providing users with access to sign up and use a new FedEx Delivery Manager feature to customize delivery options and even sign for packages directly from within the app.

Once users have signed up for Delivery Manager, they will be able to schedule deliveries, provide instructions for pending deliveries, and even sign for packages using the universal app for iPhone and iPad. Other delivery options that users can customize include: Deliver to another address, Schedule a vacation hold, and Hold your package at a FedEx location.

Get convenience and flexibility for deliveries to your home. You can view upcoming deliveries to your home address, get status updates, or request to schedule a delivery by choosing your preferred date, time, or date and time combination. Or you can request FedEx to deliver to another address — in your neighborhood or across the U.S. — or select from free options such as Hold at FedEx Location.

The new Delivery Manager feature is initially only available for residential deliveries within the US. Users interested in signing up or learning more about the new feature can do so at fedex.com/delivery.

The updated FedEx mobile app is available on the App Store now.

Discovery Channel and TLC iOS apps updated with “Plus” interactive second-screen experience

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 6:32 am PT

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Discovery Communications updated two of its iOS apps today with a brand new second screen experience dubbed “Plus”. Available for the Discovery Channel HD app and the TLC app for iPhone and iPad, “TLC Plus” and “Discovery Plus” brings interactive “second-screen” content that syncs to some of the network’s most popular shows. According to iTunes, the synced experience includes “exclusive factoids, photos, and more” and will also allow you to sync up with previously aired Plus-enabled shows that you may have recorded on your DVR.

The Plus experience isn’t available for all shows yet and is currently only available on iPad, although iPhone support and more content is on the way. The updated apps also include a new schedule guide allowing users to “quickly see when a series is currently airing new episodes, and what new shows are about to premiere.”

Update, April 24: Discovery has now updated its Animal Planet iOS app with a new experience that offers views from 12 live HD cameras:

What’s New in Version 2.5

Now on your iPad: Introducing Animal Planet L!VE, featuring unfiltered, round-the-clock access to the compelling worlds of the beautiful, cute and misunderstood. With this update, users can immerse themselves in 12 live HD cameras.

Apple’s iCloud servers once again experiencing major outages for a growing number of users

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 5:34 am PT

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iCloud-connection-error

Update, 9:34 AM: Apple has now updated its System Status page to confirm the outages we reported earlier this morning. Apple reports some users experienced issues with account & sign in for iCloud, purchases for iTunes, Game Center, and creating new Apple IDs:

Screen Shot 2013-04-23 at 3.51.58 PM

Over the last couple of months Apple’s iCloud servers have been experiencing major outages approximately every couple of weeks and today a growing number of users are once again complaining of issues accessing various iCloud services.

9to5Mac readers in several countries have reached out to Apple support who confirmed the outages, although Apple is yet to update its System Status page to reflect the downtime. Apple is typically at least a few hours behind in reporting outages.

As highlighted by hundreds of users on Twitter, the outages appear to be affecting multiple iCloud services including Mail, third-party apps attempting to access iCloud credentials, and Find my iPhone. Others are simply receiving an error message when attempting to access any iCloud service. Some users are also reporting that iCloud is requesting they reset their passwords as if their account is experiencing a security issue.

We’ll update this post when/if Apple finally reports the outages.

So, is iCloud coming down, or are we hallucinating? http://t.co/fKAepnEhzO

— Ulysses Team (@the_soulmen) April 23, 2013

#iCloud seems to be down. Or account hacked? Hopefully not…

— Juhana Venäläinen (@juhana_) April 23, 2013

iCloud – AppStore – iTunes : Hors Service pic.twitter.com/6llTx5pu8o

— Vincent Chapeau (@iChaps_) April 23, 2013

https://twitter.com/himanzoo/status/326669089533722624

https://twitter.com/KhaledYousry/status/326666876124033024

Anyone else having #server issues with #Apple #icloud this morning?

— Kevvy (@kevvyrowley) April 23, 2013

the strangest thing is happening to my #icloud email account on my phone. hope messages will return… :-((

— bernardo (@bjchan) April 23, 2013

https://twitter.com/ridewithgarrett/status/326664553310081024

@flexibits Fantastical keeps asking for my password for my iCloud cal. Ideas?

— Meron Bareket (@MeronBareket) April 23, 2013

Apple adds option to download “Later” for movies and TV shows through iTunes in the Cloud

Jordan Kahn Apr 22 2013 - 12:05 pm PT

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Download-Later-iTunes-in-the-Cloud-movies Apple has recently added a new option for iTunes purchases on both the Mac and iOS devices running iTunes 11 and iOS 6 or later. Now, when purchasing content that includes a large download, such as movies or seasons of TV shows, iTunes will allow users to complete the purchase and opt to download the file at a later time. As noted by Macworld, Apple outlined the new option, which presents users with a dialog to “Download” now or download “Later”, in a recently updated knowledge base article.

Selecting the new “Later” option will add the purchased content to your “Purchased” tab in iTunes in the Cloud, meaning the feature is only available to those in countries that support iTunes in the Cloud (full list here). According to Apple’s knowledge base article, the option applies to content including: TV seasons, season passes, movie bundles, music box sets, or individual movies and TV episodes.
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Dropbox iOS app updated with support for 6 new languages

Jordan Kahn Apr 22 2013 - 11:55 am PT

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Earlier this month Dropbox announced support for 6 new languages on the desktop and Android devices. As promised, today the iOS app gets the same update, bringing support for “Indonesian, Malay, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.” Update version 2.1.4, available on the App Store now, also includes the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements.

Dropbox version 2.14

Logitech announces Mac OS support for G Series gaming accessories

Jordan Kahn Apr 22 2013 - 11:36 am PT

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Logitech-G-Series-Gaming-Accessories

Previously available to Windows gamers only, Logitech today announced Mac OS X software making its recently unveiled revamped lineup of G gaming accessories available to Mac users too. Ranging from approximately $50 to $200, the G gaming products include the G700 wireless gaming mouse, G510 gaming keyboard, as well as a selection of mice, gaming headsets, and the G13 Advanced Gameboard controller.

Today, we are excited to share that Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) has been updated to support Mac OS for our full keyboard and mouse lineup. Now Mac gamers can enjoy the same great personalization and customized control our PC customers have come to reply on. You can download the latest version of LGS from the Logitech support page for each compatible product.

You can check out the full G Series of Logitech gaming accessories here and download the Mac OS X software here. As usual, Amazon has some of the best prices on the current G series accessories, while the revamped lineup will be available through Logitech later this month.
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More reports claim next iPhone to include fingerprint tech, could lead to launch delays

Jordan Kahn Apr 12 2013 - 7:53 am PT

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Fingerprint-scanner Brian White, Topeka Capital’s Apple analyst that previously gave some quite out there predictions for an Apple TV with “iRing”, today is saying that his recent checks with suppliers in Asia indicate Apple will include fingerprint sensor tech in the next iPhone. For what it’s worth, White says it could be the flagship feature of the 5S like Siri was with iPhone 4S. That’s something we predicted earlier in our “S” iPhone piece (via BusinessInsider):

White says, “we believe fingerprint identification technology will be part of the iPhone 5S and this is likely to be the major new feature used to market the iPhone 5S, similar to what Siri was to the iPhone 4S.”

I know… It’s a rumor that we’ve heard many times before, but now another analyst that often has accurate information is saying that same fingerprint tech could be the source of delays for the next-gen iPhone.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has changed his previous predictions regarding product launches for iPhone, iPad, iPod citing a number of challenges with suppliers and the development of new features including the implementation of fingerprint technology in iPhone (via MacRumors):

Earlier we estimated that shipments of the new iPhone would begin in July (FDD version) and September (TDD version), while iPad mini 2 would hit the market in August. Currently, market consensus for shipments of iPhone 5S, low-cost iPhone and iPad mini 2 is July, July, and August, respectively. But in light of publicly available information and our knowledge of technological trends, we now think all three products will begin shipments later than our previous expectation and market consensus.

While Kuo, who previously laid out his roadmap for 2013, doesn’t provide new estimates for when the devices might ship, he does say that apple is facing challenges with finding the right color coatings that work with the fingerprint sensor rumored to be included in the next iPhone, and “technical challenges” related to the manufacturing of a Retina display for a second generation iPad mini. Needlessly to say we’ll be checking back in this summer to see how accurate these analysts reports have been.

T-Mobile launches its first iPhone commercial as it officially begins selling the $99 iPhone 5

Jordan Kahn Apr 12 2013 - 6:29 am PT

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We can’t say we didn’t know it was coming. T-Mobile already started accepting preorders for the iPhone 5 back on April 5, and today marks the first day of official availability for the iPhone on the carrier’s revamped “Un-carrier”, no-contract, unlimited voice and data plans.

To accompany the launch, T-Mobile is also kicking off its first iPhone ad campaign today that begins with the first TV spot above (via TMO News). Of course the ad not so surprisingly focuses on its new carrier approach more so than the device itself:

“It’s the phone that’s revolutionizing phones, make sure its running on the carrier that’s revolutionizing wireless… Only T-Mobile lets your iPhone 5 be as great as an iPhone 5.”

Earlier this month T-Mobile started rolling out a carrier update for existing unlocked iPhones on its network that brings LTE support, improved battery life, visual voicemail support and more. It also started a campaign offering users trade-in value for their old devices to make the switch to T-Mobile.

The iPhone 5 is available to purchase for $99 down with a $20 per month financing plan through T-Mobile’s website and brick-and-mortar stores. As noted by TMONews, the carrier has also started setting up its in-store displays and advertising for the iPhone (Gallery below):
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France calls Apple’s decision to remove AppGratis ‘extremely brutal and unilateral’, will ask EU for tighter regulation

Jordan Kahn Apr 11 2013 - 1:59 pm PT

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AppGratis-645x250 Following a controversy in which Apple removed app discovery service AppGratis from its App Store for breaking Apple’s guidelines, Reuters reports today that regulators in France are planning to ask the European Commission and EU member states for better regulation of technology companies. The statement was made by French junior minister for digital economy Fleur Pellerin on a recent trip to AppGratis publisher iMediapp. Fleur described Apple’s decision to pull AppGratis as “extremely brutal and unilateral”:

“This behaviour is not worthy of a company of this size,” Pellerin said. She added that certain Internet companies were guilty of “repeated abusive behaviour” and said she would ask the European Commission and EU member states to better regulate digital platforms, search engines and social media.

The decision comes as Apple is drawing some heat for its broad App Store guidelines that have allowed it to remove some apps that promote App Store content but not others. Apple originally said that AppGratis was removed for breaking a guideline that warns against “Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store.” Apple also said AppGratis was in violation of guideline 5.6 that says “apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind.

AllThingsD reported that sources have indicated Apple’s removal of AppGratis is part of a broader crackdown on app discovery applications, but a grey area still remains regarding how Apple decides which apps are approved and which are removed.

Apple told Retuers today that it had discussions with AppGratis prior to the removal and that the developers had “disregarded its technical specifications.”
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