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Avatar for Jordan Kahn

Jordan Kahn

jordankahn

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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Apple updates Pages, Keynote, and Numbers for iOS w/ stability improvements, fixes

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 15 2015 - 11:03 am PT
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Ahead of the release of iOS 9 set for tomorrow, Apple has started updating its iOS apps beginning with improvements and fixes for its iWork suite of iOS apps.

All three apps— Pages, Numbers, and Keynote—get an update today with “stability improvements and bug fixes,” many of which are likely related to the iOS 9 update arriving tomorrow. 

iOS 9 will officially arrive Wednesday, September 16th, for the iPhone 4s and later, iPod touch 5th generation and later, iPad 2 and later and iPad mini and later. The release follows Apple’s new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus going up for pre-order earlier this month and comes ahead of an official retail launch for the device on September 25th. Following the first weekend of pre-oreders, Apple said this week that it’s on pace to beat its previous opening-weekend record of 10 million units.

We’d expect that other Apple apps will get a similar treatment too alongside the release of iOS 9 tomorrow.

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The best iPhone 6s & 6s Plus cases available to order now

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 14 2015 - 11:23 am PT
24 Comments

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iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are on their way with preorders kicking off over the weekend, so now is the time to buy a case for your new device in order to have it in time for an official launch set for later this month on September 25.

As is tradition, we’ve put together a roundup of the best choices for to protect your new iPhone with our selections of the best iPhone 6s and 6s Plus cases available to order now.
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As Apple plans major AirPlay overhaul for iOS 9 & new Apple TV, mirroring apps must implement workarounds

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 11 2015 - 10:47 am PT
21 Comments

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While Apple hasn’t detailed the changes publicly, the company is planning what appears to be a major, undocumented overhaul of its AirPlay protocol with iOS 9 that should make the framework for streaming video and audio content between devices a much smoother experience for both users and developers. It is, however, breaking many screen mirroring apps in the process and forcing developers to scramble to implement workarounds ahead of the launch of iOS 9 on Wednesday and the new Apple TV in the coming weeks.

Perhaps the best example of these apps is Reflector from developer Squirrels. The app utilizes AirPlay to allow cross platform wireless mirroring from mobile devices to Macs, PCs, and other devices with the app installed. The developer first brought the change to our attention and warns that developers will have to follow in its footsteps to implement a workaround that will allow screen mirroring apps to continue functioning after iOS 9 is released… 
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Sprint fights T-Mobile’s iPhone 6s discount: yearly iPhone Forever upgrade $15-$22/mo

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 11 2015 - 6:57 am PT
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Sprint is today officially announcing pricing for the new iPhone 6s lineup through its iPhone Forever upgrade program and in the process attempting to combat T-Mobile’s special introductory pricing announced earlier this week. Like T-Mobile’s $20/month offer on the new entry-level iPhone 6s, Sprint is offering a similar deal with $15/month for upgrade customers and $22/mo (or $26/mo for 6s Plus) for new iPhone Forever customers. Here’s how it works:
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Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program doesn’t offer much incentive over alternatives from carriers

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 10 2015 - 3:01 pm PT
104 Comments

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Update: The chart above was updated to reflect Sprint’s just announced iPhone Forever upgrade plan pricing. Sprint is offering $22/month regular pricing ($15 for those that trade-in a device) through its iPhone Forever Upgrade program. Customers can upgrade every time there is a new iPhone, but they’ll have to pay off the remainder of the retail price to keep it. Yearly cost for all plans added.

With the launch of its new iPhone 6s lineup this week, Apple is competing directly with its carrier partners by introducing an iPhone Upgrade Program that aims to rival similar offers from T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and others. Customers pay monthly instalments for 24 months, and they can optionally trade-in or pay off the device after 12 months to upgrade to a newer model. Apple’s own upgrade program offers some perks for consumers— the ability to get an unlocked device and use the carrier of their choice, for example— but how does it compare to the upgrade/financing programs from the other guys?

Below we compare the upgrade programs of the various carriers for an entry-level 16GB iPhone 6s and also take into account limited time promotions and other perks to find out who offers the best overall value.
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Camera+ launches its first free version w/ in-app upgrades for advanced shooting features

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 10 2015 - 10:22 am PT
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Makers of the popular Camera+ app, a $3 third-party photography app for iPhone with around 14 million users, today launched its first free version in an attempt to attract even more users to the platform.

Dubbed simply “Camera+ Free,” the app’s creator gave us the rundown on the free experience, noting that it offers the same experience as the paid app minus some of the more advanced features like manual shooting controls and the app’s “The Lab” editing suite. Instead, the free app offers up focus, exposure and macro shooting settings, scene modes including clarity, and 3 free filter packs. Beyond that, users will be able to add-on some of the more advanced features to the free version using in-app purchases, allowing them to essentially unlock the full experience of the paid app.

We want to get the app out to as many people as possible. We currently have 14 million users, but we’d love to see more people using and falling in love with our app. We think by offering people a free version, more people who typically don’t pay for apps will give it a try. If they like it then they may buy some in-apps or just spread the word about our app. – Camera+ cofounder Lisa Bettany

The free version of the Camera+ app is available on the App Store now.

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Everything Apple announced today: iPad Pro, iPhone 6s, Apple TV, Apple Watch updates, & more

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 9 2015 - 12:57 pm PT
14 Comments

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Apple just wrapped up its press event today where it officially unveiled the much anticipated next-generation iPhone 6s lineup, a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro and iPad mini 4, and an all-new, revamped Apple TV experience. It also gave us some updates on Apple Watch with new bands and partnerships with designers, as well as confirmation on release dates for iOS 9, OS X, and iCloud pricing updates.

Head below for handy links to everything Apple announced today:
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Apple TV pricing: $149 32GB, $199 64GB, 3rd gen $69, available October

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 9 2015 - 11:26 am PT
23 Comments

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Apple’s just unveiled fourth-generation Apple TV will become available starting at $149 this October. That $149 will get you an entry-level 32GB model of the new Apple TV, while a 64GB version will be available for $199. The previous third-generation Apple TV will stick around for $69.

For the fourth-gen Apple TV, Apple is introducing upgraded hardware with a brand new remote control, an App Store, and an all-new operating system that includes an updated user interface and new features for users. Some of the highlight features include a new remote control with a touchpad for navigating and a built-in mic for Siri voice commands.

We have all of the details on specs and features of the revamped Apple TV here.
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Apple unveils its all-new Apple TV, here’s what you need to know

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 9 2015 - 10:57 am PT
64 Comments

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Apple today officially announced its long anticipated revamped Apple TV set top box, marking one of the biggest jumps forward for a product category the company previously classified as a hobby project. Prior to today’s event we reported extensively on Apple’s development of the new Apple TV and the features it planned for the device and developers.

While proclaiming that “The future of TV is apps,” Tim Cook and team highlighted the key areas of the updated hardware and software: new powerful hardware, a modern OS, an all-new user experience, developer tools, and an App Store.

Head below for all the details…
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Apple: 97% customer satisfaction, 10,000 apps for Apple Watch

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 9 2015 - 10:14 am PT
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Tim Cook kicked off Apple’s big press event today with updates on Apple Watch numbers, sharing that Apple is now at 10,000 Apple Watch apps and seeing a 97% customer satisfaction rate for the device.  

Head below for a full roundup of numbers announced today during Apple’s event. We’ll be adding more as Tim Cook and other Apple executives share product updates live on stage… 
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Disney Movies Anywhere now available via Amazon Video apps for iPhone and iPad

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 8 2015 - 2:02 pm PT
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Disney today announced it’s expanding the number of devices that can access its Disney Movies Anywhere service for viewing digital copies of Disney movies online and through various apps. Among the new additions, the company is making its movies available through the Amazon Video apps for users in the US.

In addition to the Amazon Video apps, which is available for various smart TVs, set top boxes, and mobile devices including iPhone and iPad, the Disney Movie Anywhere content is now accessible through the new Disney Movie Anywhere apps on Xbox 360 and Amazon Fire devices. To access the content through Amazon Video, you’ll first have to authenticate your Amazon account in your Disney Movies Anywhere account settings.

While the Disney Anywhere content is already available through iTunes on the Apple TV, Disney is planning to bring a dedicated app to competing platforms, Roku and Android TV on September 15th. No word on Apple TV, but with Apple planning the introduction a new model tomorrow, it’s possible the device could get the same treatment in the near future.

The Amazon Video app is available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store. For a limited time, Disney is giving away a free copy of Pixar’s Monsters, Inc movie to those that connect a new iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Microsoft Movies & TV or Google Play 

Rdio adds support for more connected speaker systems & smart TVs

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 8 2015 - 9:08 am PT
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Popular music streaming service Rdio is today announcing an expansion of its support for connected speaker systems and smart TVs, including Google’s new Google Cast for Audio platform introduced earlier this year. 

In addition to supporting speakers that integrate Google’s Cast for audio platform, the music service is now available on Harman/Kardon, Denon, and the DTS Play-Fi Whole-Home Wireless ecosystem featuring leading brands such as Definitive Technology, Phorus, Polk Audio and Wren. The company also noted that it’s now available on Samsung smart TVs and arriving soon on smart TVs from LG and Hisense.

Previously Rdio was only available on Sonos speakers and setup boxes like the Apple TV and Google Chromecast.

Rdio is available free with ads or as an ad-free service for $9.99/month unlimited or on certain devices for $3.99/month with a limited number of on demand songs per day.

Get the best trade-in price for your old iPad before Apple’s iPad Pro announcement

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 7 2015 - 9:53 am PT
7 Comments

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With Apple’s introduction of the much anticipated 12-inch “iPad Pro” and a new iPad mini 4 planned for Wednesday’s press event, now is your last chance to trade-in your old iPad for its maximum value before resale prices inevitably fall following the official launch of the new device.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll be comparing prices for a current-gen, WiFi-only, 128GB iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 through some of the most popular trade-in services. For the most part, these trade-in prices will give us a good indication of who has the best prices across the board. The best prices we found: Amazon for the iPad Air 2 at $415, and Glyde for the iPad mini 3 at $330.80, but price alone shouldn’t be your only consideration… 
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Google Drive for iOS update brings multiple file select, quick sharing, and more

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 3 2015 - 1:43 pm PT
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Google-Drive

A new update to Google Drive for iOS brings a couple notable, highly-requested features to the app. Included in the update, users will now be able to select multiple files at once in order to perform an action like saving for offline, adding a star to important files, or rearranging and organizing. The new feature is something that has long been requested by users and makes managing and sharing multiple files at once much easier than in the past.

In addition, the update includes the ability to share, rename or view file details much quicker with new quick share buttons when tapping on a file.

And lastly, Google says the updated app will include the usual performance improvements.

The updated Google Drive app for iOS is available on the App Store now.

Google launches new standalone Street View app for iPhone

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 3 2015 - 9:37 am PT
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street-view-app

One of the standout features of Google Maps that other mapping apps just can’t compete with is Street View, Google’s feature for viewing imagery that gives you an immersive, 360-degree, street-level view of roads and retail stores. Now, Google is launching a standalone app for Street View that will let you access and contribute imagery without having to go through Google Maps:
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Concept imagines Apple TV 4 UI w/ Siri, App Store, and more ahead of next week’s refresh

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 1 2015 - 1:38 pm PT
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Apple-TV-Concept

Ahead of a next-generation Apple TV expected to get an official unveiling at Apple’s press event next week, this concept from Andrew Ambrosino imagines a revamped user interface for the device.

We’ve reported extensively on the yet-to-be-announced, next-generation Apple TV and much of the concept from Ambrosino takes into account our reports regarding new features for the device. Most notably, we reported that Apple is currently planning Siri support, a new dedicated remote control, App Store access, and iOS 9’s improved Proactive search features.

The concept considers many of these features for the new Apple TV that will inevitably include a new UI to accommodate new functionality and navigation. However, with that in mind, we reported earlier that the overall aesthetic of the new Apple TV’s software will largely remain the same.

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Earlier this month we reported that the fourth-generation Apple TV would arrive for customers in October for under $200 while Apple plans to keep the current, third-generation Apple TV around minus some of the new features included with the new hardware.

Apple is currently planning to unveil its next-generation Apple TV alongside new iPhone hardware and more at its press event scheduled for September 9th.

More images from Ambrosino’s concept below:

GoPro app for iPhone & iPad gets smart editing feature to create & share clips

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 1 2015 - 10:35 am PT
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Go-Pro-ios-app

The official GoPro app for iPhone and iPad gets an update today which brings a new smart editing feature to let users create and share clips instantly from within the app. Previously users resorted to third-party apps for similar functionality with GoPro camera hardware.

The new feature will let users instantly create edited versions of their videos that come in at 5, 15, or 30 seconds. You’ll be able to drag the timeline to select what 5, 15, or 30 second portion of your video you want to isolate. Once you’ve selected your clip, you’ll be able to instantly share to Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other social sharing options available in the app.

The updated app, version 2.9, also receives an “improved camera software update process” and a number of bug fixes and other improvements.

You can grab the updated app for iPhone and iPad on the App Store now.

Apple gives new look at Campus 2 construction progress in updated aerial photo

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 31 2015 - 1:04 pm PT
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In an updated aerial photo published today, Apple gives us our latest look at construction progress on its new ‘Campus 2’ building in Cupertino.

In the photo, we get a closer look at new developments on the main building, as well as the surrounding campus including a planned 1,000 seat auditorium, 300,000 square foot R&D facilities, a parking structure and other buildings separate from the main circular structure. The photos were published to the City of Cupertino’s webpage tracking progress and road closures on the project for the public.

Apple hasn’t updated its planned general project schedule on the City of Cupertino’s website and still plans to complete building construction on Campus 2 by the end of 2016 when it can begin to move in approximately 13,000 of its employees.

We’ve been keeping track of construction progress on Campus 2 with the latest photos, news, and drone flyovers in our timeline here.

Google+ for iOS updated with ‘Collections’ feature

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 31 2015 - 11:55 am PT
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Google+ Collections iOS

Google+ Collections, a feature that lets like-minded Google+ users connect in forums organized by topic, today comes to iOS devices after first rolling out for Android and web users a few months back.

Users can create Collections for topics they’re interested in and follow Collections created by other users to keep track of posts related to their interests. Google shared a few examples of popular Collections including Homebrewing, Climbing Junkie Photos, Magical, Mystical Mountains and Marine Life. It also features select Collections on a webpage here for easy searching.

When you post a Collection, Google notes that you’ll be able to customize who sees it thanks to recent improvements to the feature on Android that also come to iOS today. It also recently added the ability to add taglines to Collections and search for them on mobile devices. 

The Collections feature is available now in the updated Google+ iOS app with version 4.8.5.