Jordan Kahn

• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• iPhone
• App Store

Insteon adds Sonos integration to control speakers from its iOS app & hardware

Jordan Kahn Jan 6 2016 - 7:06 am PT

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Users of Insteon’s connected home automation products will now be able to control their Sonos speakers directly from Insteon hardware and the company’s iOS app. The feature comes thanks to a new integration with Sonos that the company announced today at CES 2016.

With the integration, users will be able to control their Sonos speakers from the Insteon wall keypads, handheld remotes and sensors, as well as the company’s Hub app for iPhone and iPad. Instead offered some examples of how you can sync your Sonos speakers and music with lighting scenes and more:

Through this integration, music can now play a part in custom Insteon lighting scenes so that while the lights slowly fade on in the morning, gentle music resonates throughout the home and the coffee starts brewing. Alternatively, at dusk, the lights could fade on while users arrive home to their favorite dinner prep playlist.

You’ll also be able to make adjustments by assigning specific functions for Sonos (like volume up and down, for example) to the Insteon wall keypad. Sonos owners can easily control their speakers as they walk in and out of rooms or when they simply do not want the hassle of dealing with an app.

“It’s easy for homeowners to replace normal wall switches with Insteon keypads that can be used to control the existing light, while adding additional buttons for control of Sonos speakers or other lights and appliances throughout the home. Users can also pick up an Insteon wireless remote from the coffee table and instantly enjoy control at their fingertips. Insteon will be offering pre-printed keypad buttons specifically for Sonos related functions, which will make basic sound control even easier for anyone to use and understand.”

The Sonos integration for Insteon will go live some time this week via an update to the company’s iOS app on the App Store.

• iOS
• Mac
• iTunes
• Canada
• UK

Apple launches Boxing Week iTunes sale w/ discounted albums in Canada & UK

Jordan Kahn Dec 26 2015 - 10:01 am PT

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As it does every year, Apple has officially kicked off its iTunes Boxing Week sale with discounts on select albums for this week only.

The sale, which both UK and Canadian users will find under a special section in the iTunes store on both iOS and Mac, will likely remain available through the end of the week. While “Boxing Day” is officially recognized in Canada and elsewhere on the 26th, retailers usually offer a Black Friday-type event for Boxing Day with most sales lasting the entire week following Dec. 25.

For Boxing Day this year, Apple is offering a long-list of popular albums, normally $9.99, starting at just $6.99 in Canada. There are other albums on offer for $7.99 as well. The deals are grouped into four sections including Hot in 2015, Essential Albums, Musique Francophone, and Discovery Artists.

On the UK iTunes store Apple doesn’t use the “Boxing Day” branding, but it is also offering popular albums from £3.99 in a special section on iTunes starting this week.

Check out the iTunes Boxing Day sale in Canada and the UK sale now. And you might want to grab some discounted iTunes gift cards first.

• Apps
• Apple TV
• App Store
• download
• Food Network

HGTV, Food Network, & Travel Channel apps come to Apple TV

Jordan Kahn Dec 21 2015 - 2:07 pm PT

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Content from shows on popular networks including HGTV, Food Network, and Travel Channel are now available with apps launching in the App Store for the new Apple TV.

The apps offer much the experience offer in their iPhone and iPad counterparts, and require users to sign-in using a cable TV account. Like the iOS apps for HGTV, Travel Channel, and Food Network, users can sign in with accounts from  AT&T U-verse. Bright House Networks, Cox, Comcast XFINITY, DIRECTV, DISH, Google Fiber, Optimum, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, and a long list of others.

In each of the apps, users will find the usual selection of on-demand episodes and clips from popular shows on each of the networks, as well as access to a Live TV stream of what’s airing on the channels.

You can download the HGTV, Travel Channel and Food Network apps on the new Apple TV now.

• iOS Devices
• iPhone 6s
• Best Buy
• Verizon
• Sprint

Best Buy offering iPhone 6s for $1 on contract w/ Sprint & Verizon starting tomorrow

Jordan Kahn Dec 17 2015 - 3:28 pm PT

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We’ve received word that starting tomorrow Best Buy is going be offering the 16GB iPhone 6s, normally $199 on-contract (and often on sale for $99), for just $1. Head below for details… 
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• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• iPhone
• App Store

‘Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories’ comes to iPhone & iPad

Jordan Kahn Dec 17 2015 - 10:38 am PT

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Rockstar Games announced today that it’s bringing Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, the ninth game in the series originally in 2005, to iOS users.

You’ll find the full game packed into the iOS version for iPhone and iPad, which Rockstar notes in its press release was “originally designed with mobile gameplay in mind” for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). But you’ll also find some new features including some that take advantage of the iPhone and iPad’s touch display, iOS specific features like 3D Touch, and the larger iPad Pro:

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• iOS Devices
• Steve Jobs
• iTunes
• release
• Blu-ray

‘Steve Jobs’ film set to get digital, DVD, & Blu-ray release February 2

Jordan Kahn Dec 16 2015 - 10:26 am PT

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Universal Pictures has announced it’s set to give ‘Steve Jobs’, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Michael Fassbender, a release on digital services, Blu-ray, and DVD February 2.

Blu-ray and DVD bonuses include “Inside Jobs: The Making of Steve Jobs,” a documentary detailing the making of the film, as well as feature commentary by Danny Boyle, Aaron Sorkin, and editor Elliot Graham.

The film originally opened to mixed reviews from critics and was, according to reports, generally disliked by those close to Jobs. It eventually bombed nationwide following what were reportedly highest per-theatre earnings of the year on its limited opening weekend. Still, the film may earn its creators a Golden Globe award or two next month.

We’d expect the digital release to hit iTunes and other online video services, but for now Universal is only confirming there will be a “Digital HD UltraViolet” release alongside the Blu-ray and DVD on February 2.

[youtube=https://youtu.be/KnOEdJR0rdM]

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• iPhone
• App Store

Skype iPhone & iPad app gets improved sharing with iOS extension

Jordan Kahn Dec 15 2015 - 10:24 am PT

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Skype for iPhone and iPad gets an update today to version 6.8 and with it comes new features for sharing content in the app. With the update, you’ll be able to quickly share links to websites and photos from your camera roll:

Skype 6.8 for iPhone and iPad makes sharing content with friends on Skype really easy. Simply tap on a share button to send links from apps and websites or photos from your camera roll directly to a Skype contact – just select the friend you want to share with and send! Perfect for sharing photos from your office party or present ideas with family members without the hassle of sending the content in an email.

The new app adds support for Skype in the system-wide iOS share sheet, meaning you’ll be able to easily share content from the web, in apps, and elsewhere directly to contacts in Skype. The company’s demo video below gives you the rundown on enabling the feature if you’re unfamiliar:

[youtube=https://youtu.be/6yVW1FHAN244]

The updated Skype app for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iPhone
• App Store
• update
• app

Hulu iPhone app overhauled with iPad-like design, new features for parents

Jordan Kahn Dec 14 2015 - 11:55 am PT

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Hulu gets a major update today with an all-new design for iPhone alongside a few new features in version 4.7.0.

The new iPhone design looks a lot like the design Hulu was already using on the iPad with navigation tucked under a menu button in the upper left section instead of tabs along the bottom. You’ll also find mostly grid layouts with larger images when the app is displaying lists of content.

Here’s a look at the old Hulu iPhone app (left) versus the new design in today’s update (right):

And in addition to the updated design, iPhone users will find Hulu’s Kid Lock functionality now available. The parental control feature can be enabled through settings to restrict content for children using the service.

The updated Hulu app for iPhone is available on the App Store now.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iPhone
• Amazon
• App Store
• iTunes

Yahoo’s new Video Guide app offers universal search across streaming services

Jordan Kahn Dec 10 2015 - 9:31 am PT

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Yahoo today released a new “Yahoo Video Guide” app for mobile devices that acts as one central location for users to find content from across a long list of competitive video services and networks.

The app allows users to search from one place and then offers links to buy or start streaming the content in other apps like iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, HBO GO, and many others. So you’ll still need to be a subscriber, have the app downloaded, and or purchase the content once the Yahoo Video Guide app redirects you.

And while you can just search for something you’re looking for, the app also has a Mood Picker feature that lets users pick a from GIFs to search through curated lists. 

Yahoo of course has its own Yahoo Screen app for mobile devices, but it also links to content on iTunes, Amazon Video, Hulu, Netflix, HBO GO, ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, Xfinity, YouTube, A&E, BET, Cartoon Network, Cinemax, Comedy Central, Disney, Food Network, and others. In total it says it’s promoting over 30 video services through the new Video Guide app.

The Yahoo Video Guide iPhone app is available to download for free on the U.S. App Store now.