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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

iPhone 6 coming as early as September, likely in 4.7-5.5-inch varieties says Nikkei

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apple-iphone-6-conceptThere’s not a whole lot here that we haven’t heard before, but today Nikkei Asian Review reports that orders into component suppliers indicate Apple’s next-gen iPhone will debut as early as September in two new screen sizes.

As reported previously by Bloomberg, WSJ, and others, Nikkei says Apple will introduce a new 4.7-inch iPhone alongside a larger 5.5-inch model. The report’s cites sources in Apple’s supply chain and says Apple’s display suppliers– Sharp, Japan Display, & LG– plan mass production of LCD panels sometime between April-June:

Manufacturers have apparently begun making such components as fingerprint sensors and chips for liquid-crystal drivers… Mass production of LCD panels will start as early as the April-June quarter at Sharp’s Kameyama factory, Japan Display’s Mobara plant, and at other facilities, according to sources. LG Electronics will supply panels as well. The new handset’s display resolution is expected to be significantly higher than that of current models.

The first part of the report is a given: if Apple follows its past release schedules we’d expect to see a new iPhone unveiling in September. That being said, the publication has correctly predicted some dates in the past, like the September 20th launch of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5c.

PencilCase reimagines HyperCard to let non-developers create native iOS apps

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Robots & Pencils, a company that has up until now been making mobile apps for others, is launching a new platform for Mac that it says reimagines Apple’s HyperCard and allows non-developers to create & publish native iOS apps. Dubbed ‘PencilCase,’ users can create native apps with a drag and drop interface for adding UI elements, 3D models, programmed animations, and physics with no code required. There’s also a full built-in Javascript engine for those that might want to add some code.

We’ve seen a few similar build-your-own app platforms aimed at non-developers, but Robots & Pencils CEO Michael Sikorsky told us a little bit about why PencilCase is different:
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Apple patent for fingerprint-resistant coating adds more proof sapphire displays are coming soon

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A new Apple patent application filed last year and published by the United States Patent & Trademark Office today adds more proof that Apple is preparing to use sapphire displays in upcoming devices (via AI). There has been no shortage of proof that Apple is preparing to do something— most likely next-generation iPhone screens— with the large Sapphire plant it recently picked up in Arizona. We already know that the sapphire material could make iPhone displays, for example, stronger and more scratch resistant, but today’s patent details a method Apple will use to also make sure the sapphire repels fingerprints as well or better than the glass used on previous generation iPhones.
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HBO’s Game of Thrones Ascent game comes to iPad ahead of Season 4 debut

Ahead of the return of HBO’s massively popular Game of Thrones series with Season 4 on April 6, today the official Game of Thrones Ascent game has made its way to iPad.

The game already has around 2,500,000 players on Facebook and the web, and now is available as a free download in the App Store with new art, optimized imagery for Retina displays, and Game Center leaderboards. Here’s the gameplay description from the press release:

With Game of Thrones Ascent, fans can immerse themselves beyond the books and show and actually live the life of a noble during a time of upheaval within Westeros. Taking part in thousands of story-driven quests, players delve deeply into the lore and develop their own lands and reputation among the Great Houses. Players explore an expansive world filled with deep political and social play involving diplomatic agreements, pacts, marriages, and betrothals. Through Alliance challenges, players work with hundreds of others to accomplish great tasks and rise to the top of the Power Rankings.

The app will be continually updated with new story lines and content from the show on each Monday following new episodes airing on TV:

Frequent updates with content matching new episodes on HBO! As each episode airs, see new quests each week and explore the show like never before! Create your story through Seasons One, Two, and Three, and create your own history in our unique Volume You!

Game of Thrones Ascent is available on the App Store now.

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Synology adds support for Chromecast streaming in latest DiskStation updates

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If you’re unfamiliar with Synology’s DiskStation network-attached storage (NAS) hardware and software, I recently wrote a full review on the latest update. The company’s DiskStation products come with slick apps for Mac and iOS that let you stream all of your content stored in your own private cloud to just about any device you could think of, and today the company has added yet another with official support for Google’s Chromecast HDMI stick.

Much like you can send video and audio stored on your DiskStation to your Apple TV over AirPlay, or to your TV or PlayStation using DiskStation’s built-in DLNA media servers and iOS apps, you can now stream content to any TV connected to Google’s $35 Chromecast. As the company’s blog post points out, “if you’re at your friend’s place, you can connect to your DiskStation back at home, and stream your movie/music collection directly to his Chromecast.” 

The Chromecast support requires the latest DSM 5.0 update and updated versions of the DS Audio and DS Video apps for streaming from iOS devices.

You can check out our full review of the Synology hardware and latest DSM 5.0 update here.

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Apple seeds Safari 7.0.3 and 6.1.3 Seed 2 to developers

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After seeding the first beta of the next versions of Safari for OS X a week ago, Apple has just seeded another pre-release version of Safari 7.0.3 and Safari 6.1.3 (Seed 2) to developers.

Apple provides the following focus areas for devs in the release notes:

Please focus testing on the following areas:

• General website compatibility

• Safari Push Notifications

• Login AutoFill

• Credit Card AutoFill (OS X Mavericks only) • Extension Compatibility

Safari 7.0.3 will arrive for Mavericks users while the 6.1.3 release is the latest for Mountain Lion users. The updates require the following:

Safari 6.1.3 for OS X Lion requires OS X 10.7.5 with Security Update 2013-002. Safari 6.1.3 for OS X Mountain Lion requires OS X 10.8.5. Safari 7.0.3 for OS X Mavericks requires OS X 10.9.2 and is also included in OS X 10.9.3.

Earlier this month Apple pushed updates for iTunes 11.1.6 and OS X 10.9.3 betas to developers. When released to the public, the new iTunes version will restore the ability to sync contacts and calendars to an iOS device, while OS X is expected to introduce the ability to output at 4k resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate on the latest MacBook Pro models.

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Flexibits teases iPad version of popular ‘Fantastical’ calendar app

Flexibits, makers of the popular Fantastical calendar apps for Mac and iPhone, today teased an upcoming iPad version of the app on its website.

Fantastical 2 for iPad is “coming soon,” and the company is taking sign ups for those interested in learning more, but it hasn’t yet revealed any other details on the app. The company did confirm in the tweet below that the iPad version would be a separate download and not introduced as a new universal app for both iPhone & iPad. The iPhone version of Fantastical 2 sells for $4.99 on the App Store.

We’ve reviewed previous version of the app and are big fans, so we’ll definitely be bringing you a full review of the app when it officially launches. Until then, check out our latest review of Fantastical 2 for iPhone.

You can sign up to learn more about the app on the Flexibits website here.

[tweet https://twitter.com/flexibits/status/448506098526334977]

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iPhone-connected ‘MicrobeScope’ lets you capture & share video of microbes

A new product called MicrobeScope raising funds on Kickstarter is an iPhone-connected, pocket-sized 800x microscope that allows users to record and share video of what they are viewing.

The specimen is placed directly on the inverted lens, and the internal AAA size battery powered light source provides the illumination. The 800x magnification achieved by this simple device is unmatched by other small scopes and the phone mount is a game changer because of the ability to share real time video.

The company, 4D Optical, has been developing similar products for around 10 years and explained that advancements in iPhone camera tech in recent years have made MicrobeScope possible:

Before cell phone cameras became as good as they are now we were using standard video cameras. While this scope version produced excellent optical quality, it was not as small or as durable as we wanted. We also tried out a version that was pocket sized, but it did not have good video capture capabilities. When the iPhone 4S came out we realized that it was the perfect video camera, so we went back to the drawing board and came up with the MicrobeScope…

While the company notes that MicrobeScope is “a very powerful fixed focus instrument capable of viewing sub 1micron features of individual bacteria,” it’s also made it simple enough for kids to use and is taking donations to get MicrobeScope into schools.

The Kickstarter project has already raised well over its $10,000 goal and still has 25 days to go. A $125 pledge will get you a MicrobeScope when they are ready to ship in May or June. It also has a $10,000 or more pledge tier for professionals that will allow for a MicrobeScope customized with professional level optics.

(via TechCrunch)

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Roku iPhone app gets redesign w/ new search feature & more

The companion iPhone app for Roku hardware was updated today with a complete visual overhaul that gives the app a brand new look on top of a few new features. In addition to the redesign pictured above, the updated Roku app will also now let you access Roku’s search feature to search for content across apps by movie, show, actor, or director right from an iPhone. 

Version 3.0 of the Roku app also includes a number of other fixes and enhancements, but the overall navigation of the app remains the same. The new search feature for now is only supported “on US-based Roku players firmware 5.4 or later” and on all hardware except the Roku 2450x or 2500x. Roku says “Roku Search feature on mobile is not yet available. It will be debuting on the Roku Streaming Stick and will be available to other players over time.” Its blog post is here.

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

‘HealthPatch’ biosensor coming soon to consumer products shows what’s possible for Healthbook hardware

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Vital Connect, a company working on innovative biomedical and sensor technology, is today officially launching a small biosensor capable of tracking biometric measurements that would normally require a number of larger, clunky accessories or professional medical equipment. You might remember Vital Connect from our report in January when the company’s VP of research and development was scooped up by Apple, likely to work on the company’s highly anticipated iWatch project and health & fitness focused features planned for iOS 8. HealthPatch is already being used by select partners in the medical space, but we’ve learned it’s about to become a reality for everyday iPhone users as consumer products using the tech launch over the next couple of months.
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Warriors become first NBA team to rollout iBeacons, push seat upgrade offers to nosebleeds

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MLB is already using them with plans to roll out at all stadiums, and now Bloomberg reports that the Golden State Warriors have become the first NBA team to take advantage of Apple’s iBeacon bluetooth technology. Just as the MLB, retailers, and other events have used the beacons to send context sensitive notifications and offers to customers and fans in proximity, the Warriors will do the same and in the process offer fans in cheap seats the chance to upgrade:
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‘Placed’ app brings context-aware app launching via iBeacons into the home

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If you’ve been reading up on some of the organizations and companies working on iBeacon technology, most have used Apple’s Bluetooth LE standard to beam notifications and context-aware data to users that come in contact with iBeacon hardware in retail and event environments. They are already rolling out at retailers and being used in event spaces, but now a new app called “Placed” aims to bring iBeacons into the home (via TechCrunch).
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Tim Cook earns spot among Pope Francis & Dalai Lama on Fortune’s World’s Greatest Leaders list

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Fortune is out today with its inaugural list of the World’s Greatest Leaders and among Pope Francis, Bill Clinton, Dalai Lama, and other dignitaries sits a few of the tech industry’s biggest figures, including Apple CEO Tim Cook. Tim Cook sits at #33 on the list, ahead of other tech execs like YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, but trailing Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Alibaba’s Jack Ma. Here’s Fortune’s blurb on why Cook made the list:
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Burger King will soon let you pay with your iPhone in its 7000 U.S. locations

Burger-King-appFollowing announcements from other fast-food chains planning to roll out mobile payment and ordering systems this year, Bloomberg reports that Burger King will be the latest to let customers make purchases using a smartphone app.

The program will be introduced next month and should be in all of Burger King’s more than 7,000 U.S. locations in “a few months,” Bryson Thornton, a spokesman for the company, said in an e-mailed statement. The option to order food and drinks ahead of time for later in-store pickup may be added, he said.

McDonalds, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donuts and others are all currently testing or already beginning to roll out similar apps in markets around the US, while other chains like Starbucks have long offered similar payment options through its app. The apps will also provide coupons and other promotions to customers, and I’m sure it won’t be long before fast food franchises get on the iBeacon bandwagon.

Burger King is also apparently weighing the idea of allowing customers to order ahead of time for pickup at a later time.

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Unreal Engine 4 arrives w/ new $19/month (+ 5% royalty) subscription model

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Epic Games is announcing the release of its new Unreal Engine 4 engine today and in the process introducing a new pricing scheme and support for OS X out of the gate. The engine that powers many of our favorite games across platforms will now be available to developers as a subscription that will see devs pay $19 a month plus a 5 percent royalty on gross product revenue (that’s before Apple takes its 30% cut for the App Store, for example.) That will give devs access to the all Unreal Engine 4 features and tools, full C++ source code available on GitHub, as well as the usual documentation and upcoming updates.

This first release of Unreal Engine 4 is just the beginning. In the C++ code, you can see many new initiatives underway, for example to support Oculus VR, Linux, Valve’s Steamworks and Steam Box efforts, and deployment of games to web browsers via HTML5.  It’s all right there, in plain view, on day one of many years of exciting and open development ahead!

Epic hopes that the new model will make it easier for anyone, especially the many smaller mobile game developers that might not yet be using the platform, to ship a product using Unreal Engine. That being said, Epic will negotiate custom terms for some developers, for example, “reducing or eliminating the royalty in exchange for an upfront license fee.” Epic used to charge a $99 license fee plus 25% of revenue after the first $50,000 any particular game brought in.

Epic warns that Mac OS X support in UE 4 still “hasn’t undergone serious developer testing yet” and that iOS deployment is only available on Mac so far.

You can get more info and sign up for UE4 here.

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Report: EA Games server compromised, hackers stealing Apple ID, credit card & Origin account info

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Update: EA said in a statement that it’s investigating the reports (via TheVerge):

“Privacy and security are of the utmost importance to us, and we are currently investigating this report… We’ve taken immediate steps to disable any attempts to misuse EA domains…”

According to a report from internet security and research company Netcraft, hackers have compromised an EA Games server and are currently using it to host a phishing site that steals Apple IDs and more from unsuspecting users. The company published its report today and says it contacted EA yesterday to report the discovery, but as of publishing the compromised server and the phishing site stealing Apple IDs were still online.

Netcraft claims the phishing site being hosted on EA’s servers not only asks for an Apple ID and password but also the user’s “full name, card number, expiration date, verification code, date of birth, phone number, mother’s maiden name, plus other details that would be useful to a fraudster.” Netcraft also reports that EA Games is being targeted in other phishing attacks that are attempting to steal user data from its Origin game distribution service:
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Firefox 28 released w/ Mac OS X Notification Center support for web notifications

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Firefox today released the latest version of its desktop browser for Mac, Linux, and Windows and in the process added one much welcomed feature for Mac OS X users: support for Notification Center. This means that web apps and sites taking advantage of Firefox’s web notifications feature will now also appear for Mac users in the Notification Center.

Version 28 of Firefox also introduces a few new behind the scenes improvements including VP9 video decoding, volume control for HTML5 audio/video, and a number of other fixes.

Firefox 28 for Mac is available to download from the Mozilla website now.

Google releases ‘Android Wear’ SDK developer preview, watches from LG, Moto & others due next quarter

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silver_metal_600_00010Ahead of the release of Apple’s much rumored “iWatch” wearable product, Google has now officially announced Android’s entrance into wearables with project “Android Wear.” The Android Wear SDK allows developers to integrate a number of features into Android powered wearables and relies heavily on Google Now functionality, as we were first to report late last year.

Google also confirmed that it’s working with a handful of partners to bring Android Wear powered wearables to market by later this year:
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