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:
Apple has now named new Marketing and Medical VPs for its Apple Watch team following the product’s official unveiling earlier this month. The company has also today posted its first job listing seeking software engineers for the Apple Watch team on its website.
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To go along with the launch of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Verizon is allowing early upgrades for any customers eligible for an upgrade over the next two months. That means that customers eligible for an upgrade on or before November 15 2014 will be able to upgrade immediately to a new device, including the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Here’s details on the promo straight from Verizon:
As a special thank you to our existing customers, all Verizon customers who would be eligible to upgrade on or before November 15th have had their upgrade dates changed to become upgrade eligible immediately. These customers can now upgrade to any device currently in our lineup, with new two year contract. Customers should check My Verizon to confirm upgrade eligibility.
The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced today that it’s introducing the latest DisplayPort technology that brings support for upcoming 5K monitors and more. DisplayPort 1.3 for audio and video increases the standard to a maximum link bandwidth of 32.4 Gbps and as a result supports 5K displays with resolutions of 5120 x 2880 on a single cable without compression methods. In addition, users will notice enhanced performance for 4K displays in multi-monitor setups over a single DisplayPort connection:
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With news breaking today that Minecraft-maker Mojang has officially sold to Microsoft, the first question that comes to my mind is what this might mean for Mac and iOS users.
Microsoft now has the ability and probably much incentive to make future versions of Minecraft Xbox and or Windows-only and, unfortunately, its statement on the topic isn’t reassuring to say the least. Here’s the statement from Mojang on development for various platforms:
There’s no reason for the development, sales, and support of the PC/Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Vita, iOS, and Android versions of Minecraft to stop. Of course, Microsoft can’t make decisions for other companies or predict the choices that they might make in the future.
We’re extremely proud of all editions and the awesome things you have achieved through playing together.
That’s far from a promise that Microsoft will indeed keep the game alive on all platforms, and also up in the air is where the company’s current employees and projects will end up after the deal. For now, versions of the game are still available to download for Mac and iOS.
Since its Tuesday release during Apple’s press event, U2’s free album giveaway has reportedly reached 2 million downloads. Recode reported the numbers today but didn’t clarify if the two million downloads included those iOS devices and Macs automatically setup to download purchased content.
That’s 2 million of the approximately 500 million people with access to the free album through either an iTunes download or streaming on iTunes Radio and Beats Music.
Earlier today we noted that Apple reportedly paid U2 and its label an undisclosed royalty fee in addition to committing to a $100 million ad campaign as part of the partnership. The band also has plans to continue working with Apple on other music related projects.
As noted by Recode, the album’s release has also put a lot of U2’s back catalogue (conveniently on sale) into the top charts on iTunes: The music industry always expects new releases to spur the sales of old albums, but in this case iTunes buyers seem particularly receptive: Right now there are 17 old U2 albums on iTunes top 100 chart; a remastered version of “The Joshua Tree,” the band’s 1987 release, is at the No. 12 spot.
That didn’t take long. Andras Horvath put together this concept of Apple Watch OS running on an iPhone. Enjoy. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5t2ts4VsBY]
Record shipments of Apple’s new iPhone 6 models unveiled this week might mean more headaches for companies building accessories with Apple’s Lightning connectors. Several sources tell us in the lead up to the launch of the new iPhones this week, Apple has purchased all of the available bulk inventory of Lightning connectors and authentication chips leaving smaller accessory makers in its Made-for-iPhone licensing program stranded.
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It turns out Apple’s latest partnership with U2 will go beyond just the release of the band’s new album ‘Songs of Innocence’ for free to iTunes customers. In an interview with Billboard, the band’s manager Guy Oseary noted U2 will continue to work with Apple on music related projects:
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Apple’s website detailing Continuity features arriving with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite in the coming weeks has been updated to announce SMS support won’t arrive until October.
The feature, which allows users to send and receive SMS and MMS text messages from an iPad or Mac, could be held up by the upcoming release of OS X Yosemite this fall. Unfortunately, an October release for the feature means it won’t be available to iPad users when iOS 8 launches on September 17.
The SMS Continuity feature has been included in betas of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, but it looks like it won’t be ready for public consumption later this month.
Following our report in July detailing Apple’s work on a new 4K display, today a report from Taiwan-based display researchers WitsView claims Apple will release a new 5K iMac by the end of this year.
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Apple has announced this year’s summit for its Made-for-iPhone/iPad/iPod accessory program will take place Nov. 12-14 in China. The event will focus on briefing accessory manufacturers on HomeKit, iBeacon, and other new technologies coming in iOS 8.
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When Apple announced its new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models earlier this week, it only provided preorder and shipping info for a handful of initially launch countries. The company has now confirmed a second wave of iPhone 6 launches for a long list of countries will kick off on September 26.
Many of Apple’s websites abroad are now listing the September 26 order date. Here’s 20+ countries we’ve found so far:
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As we always do, we’ve compiled a list of the best iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cases already available to order. With preorders for the device kicking off this Friday through most carriers and major retailers in launch countries, a number of great case makers have already started selling accessories. We’ve stuck to reputable case makers and cases that you can order today. A few might not ship until the end of the month or early next, but Apple isn’t expected to ship the iPhone 6 & 6 Plus until September 19th. We’ll add more to the list as we find them.
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One thing that Apple didn’t get into during its keynote presentation is any possible gaming experiences that might come with its new Apple Watch wearable. Today, however, EA has announced that it’s already prototyping ideas for wearables like Apple Watch. In a blog post from EA’s Mobile gaming head Frank Gibeau, the company announced announced it has a team working on ideas for gaming on wearables including standalone games and second screen experiences for console and mobile games:
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Now that the iPod classic, the last of Apple’s legacy clickwheel iPods, is no longer for sale from Apple, this might be your last chance to get your hands on the device. While you can’t get one from Apple, there are still a few spots to purchase remaining stock:
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Lefties fear not, Apple has now confirmed that its new Apple Watch wearable will indeed be reversible for users that prefer the watch on their right wrist.
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One feature that Apple didn’t spend time showing off on stage is a rumored one-handed mode for the new larger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus displays. Apple is calling it “Reachability” and with it allows users to double tap the Home button to shift the entire UI down to put UI elements at the top of the display in thumb’s reach (as pictured above). How Apple would address the problem of a larger iPhone causing usability issues was a big question leading up to today’s event and now we have our answer. Samsung and others with large smartphones offer similar features that scale the screen to one side or corner to make the device easier to use with one hand.
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As previously rumored, U2 announced today that its new album Songs of Innocence will be available for free. The news came in an announcement on stage with Apple CEO Tim Cook and the band following a performance at the company’s iPhone and Apple Watch event earlier today. Rather than bundling the album with new iPhone models as rumored, Apple is making the album available for free to download on iTunes for all users.
Apple says the new album is the largest album release ever with every iTunes Store customer in 119 countries getting access to the album for free. The album will also be available for free on iTunes Radio and Beats Music. The offer is available through October 13.
Apple also showed a new commercial shot with the band during today’s event. More info on getting the album available here.
CUPERTINO, California—September 9, 2014—Apple®, Universal Music Group and legendary rock band U2 today announced the release of the album “Songs of Innocence,” which Apple is gifting to iTunes Store® customers around the world, making it the largest album release ever with over half a billion copies distributed. The album features 11 new songs from the band and charts their earliest influences from 70s rock and punk rock to early 80s electronica and soul. The album is free for iTunes Store account holders in 119 countries and is available exclusively on iTunes® for the next five weeks.
“From the very beginning U2 have always wanted our music to reach as many people as possible, the clue is in our name I suppose—so today is kind of mind-blowing to us. The most personal album we’ve written could be shared with half a billion people… by hitting send. If only songwriting was that easy,” said U2 lead singer Bono. “It’s exciting and humbling to think that people who don’t know U2 or listen to rock music for that matter might check us out. Working with Apple is always a blast. They only want to do things that haven’t been done before—that’s a thrill to be part of.”
“U2 has been an important part of Apple’s history in music and we’re thrilled to make ‘Songs of Innocence’ the largest album release ever,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We get to share our love of music today by gifting this great new album to over half a billion iTunes customers around the world.”
“Songs of Innocence” features 11 new songs from the band and is their most personal work to date, charting their earliest influences from 70s rock and punk rock to early 80s electronica and soul and giving insight into how and why the band came together and the relationships in and around them, their family and friendships. Recorded in New York, London, Los Angeles and Dublin the album is produced by Danger Mouse, along with Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Declan Gaffney and Flood.
Apple is gifting “Songs of Innocence” to iTunes Store account holders.* Customers who sign up for an iTunes Store account in the next five weeks will get the album as a gift. “Songs of Innocence” is also available to stream via iTunes Radio℠ and will be available on Beats Music℠.
Apple and U2 share a special connection in music. U2 was an important partner for the opening of the iTunes Store in 2003. Apple worked with U2 on the iPod® U2 Special Edition and created “The Complete U2” box set together. U2 continues to be one of the most popular bands ever on the iTunes Store. Apple has partnered with Bono and (RED) to fight for an AIDS-free generation by creating (PRODUCT)RED merchandise. More than $75 million has been generated by Apple for the Global Fund.
* “Songs of Innocence” is available to iTunes Store customers in the 119 countries featuring a music store, with an active account, and who are 13 years or older (or the equivalent minimum age in the relevant jurisdiction).
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.
Press Contacts:
Tom Neumayr
Apple
tneumayr@apple.com
+1 (408) 974-1972
Dennis Dennehy
Interscope Geffen A&M
D.dennehy@umusic.com
+1 (310) 865-7934
Regine Moylett
RMP London
Regine@RMPLondon.co.uk
+44 20 8749 7999
Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iTunes Store, iTunes, iTunes Radio and iPod are trademarks of Apple. Beats Music is a service mark of Beats Electronics LLC. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Apple just unveiled its much rumored wearable product live on stage during its press event this morning giving us a first look at its entrance into the smartwatch market. The device is officially called Apple Watch, pairs with iPhone, and sports an all-new user interface that is quite a departure from anything we’ve seen on other iOS devices.
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After officially introducing its new iPhone at today’s press event, we now have details on pricing and availability for the device from Apple.
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Live on stage, Apple has just kicked things off during its event by officially announcing the new iPhone lineup: the much rumored 4.7-inch device is called iPhone 6, while the larger 5.5-inch model is dubbed “iPhone 6 Plus”. Here’s what we know so far:
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In case you’re stuck on Windows and want to live stream Apple’s iPhone 6 event on Sept. 9, here are…
According to a report from BetaBoston, Apple’s team in Boston working on its Siri speech recognition technology looks to be expanding as the company reportedly leases a new 13,000 square foot office. The report, which cites real estate sources, says the new office at One Broadway is in the Cambridge Innovation Center where Apple currently has a small team occupying two smaller offices:
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Google just announced a nice update for users of its Google Play Movies & TV app for iOS: the ability to download both movies and television shows for offline playback without an internet connection. Google first released the app in January giving iPhone and iPad users access to its movies and TV shows streamed over WiFi.
Google just announced the feature on Google+ and the updated app should be rolling out to the App Store any minute. Version 1.2.0 also brings bug fixes and improvements to accessibility and stability.
The Google Play Movies & TV app is available for free for iPhone and iPad.
What’s New in Version 1.2.0
* Download and play your videos anywhere, without an Internet connection
* Accessibility improvements
* Stability improvements and bug fixes
