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Here’s what Apple included in this year’s $320 ‘Lucky Bag’ specials

Mike Beasley Jan 1 2015 - 4:56 pm PT

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Shoppers line up outside Apple’s Omotesandō retail store for the Lucky Bag sale (Image via <a href="http://ringo-sanco.com/2015/01/02/apple-lucky-bag-2015-omotesando/" target="_blank">Ringo-Sanco</a>)

The contents of Apple’s 2015 Japanese “Lucky Bag” sales have been revealed. The bags went on sale at 8 AM local time this morning, and the entire collection of deals was quickly revealed by those who had taken advantage of the limited-time offer.

The bags will cost shoppers around ¥38,000 (or about $323). There are four different types of bags available, and customers will get one at random when they make their purchase.

Here’s what shoppers will find in their Lucky Bags this year:

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NYC residents may eventually be able to pay parking tickets using Apple Pay

Mike Beasley Dec 30 2014 - 11:42 pm PT

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The Big Apple is considering letting drivers pay for their parking tickets using their big Apple phones, MarketWatch reports. New York City is said to be looking to update its old system with something a little more user-friendly, and is currently considering several options, including Apple Pay.

The main idea for the new system is a mobile app that would allow users to scan in a parking ticket, either by barcode or some other means, then pay the fine instantly using Apple Pay or another payment system, such as PayPal, or possibly even Bitcoin.

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Apple employee lawsuit over time spent in security lines dismissed after Amazon ruling

Mike Beasley Dec 30 2014 - 3:24 pm PT

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Apple employees who attempted to file a class action lawsuit against the company over wages they say they lost while standing in bag-check lines for 10 to 15 minutes before and after their shifts got some bad news from a judge today. Citing a similar case involving Amazon warehouse workers, a district judge dismissed the Apple suit.

In the Amazon case, the Supreme Court ruled that because Amazon warehouse workers were not employed for the purpose of going through security checks, it was not actually part of the job they were being paid to do. Therefore, the court ruled, the employees could not bill the company for time spent standing in security lines.

Based on that ruling, the judge in the Apple suit determined that the case had to be dismissed.

Apple to preserve historic Glendenning Barn on site of futuristic ‘spaceship’ campus

Mike Beasley Dec 29 2014 - 3:19 pm PT

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Apple has always attempted to respect historic landmarks in planning its various real estate expansions, and as the San Jose Mercury News reported today, two buildings with a full century of history between them will coexist as the company continues its trend by preserving a 100-year-old barn to remain on the campus of its new headquarters.

The Glendenning Barn was built in 1916, exactly 100 years before construction on Apple’s new facility is expected to be completed. It was carefully disassembled by construction crews to ensure that it wouldn’t be damaged as the new campus was being built, with every individual piece being numbered and preserved so that the barn can be rebuilt exactly the way it was once construction is finished.

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Apple confirms ‘Lucky Bag’ sale returning to Japanese retail stores on January 2nd

Mike Beasley Dec 26 2014 - 2:50 pm PT

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: Image via AppBank

Apple’s annual “Lucky Bag” sale will begin in Japanese retail stores on January 2nd, the company confirmed today through a page on its website. Shoppers will be able to purchase a mystery bag containing an assortment of products at much lower than the actual cost of those items.

Last year’s Lucky Bags included a $99 Incase backpack and a Mophie Juice Pack, each with a custom design to match the bags. Each bag also came with one of four Apple products ranging from an 11-inch MacBook Air or iPad Air down to an iPod nano, along with an assortment of accessories for the Apple device. The bags sold for only $340.

Those products and prices are on par with previous years, so this year’s buyers can have some idea of what to expect.

Here’s how to watch The Interview on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV

Mike Beasley Dec 24 2014 - 4:46 pm PT

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Update: The film is now available on iTunes for $6 to rent and $15 to own.

After much controversy, Sony Pictures released the Seth Rogen comedy The Interview on Google Play and YouTube earlier today. If you’re looking to brave the wrath of North Korea and watch the movie for yourself, there are a number of ways you can do so on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Of course, you can also watch on your Mac by heading over to YouTube, Google Play, or Sony’s own dedicated site.

For an iOS device, you’ll want to take a look at the YouTube or Google Play Movies apps. Neither of those apps have the ability to actually rent the movie, so you’ll need to do that from a computer, but once you have you’ll be able to stream it to your mobile devices with no problem.

You can also rent and stream the film to the new YouTube app on the Apple TV, although, as Google notes in a help document on its support site, this will require a third-generation Apple TV.

Here’s how to watch The Interview on your Apple devices

Mike Beasley Dec 24 2014 - 4:41 pm PT

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After much controversy, Sony Pictures released the Seth Rogen comedy The Interview on Google Play and YouTube earlier today. If…

NYT: Apple declined offer from Sony Pictures to stream ‘The Interview’ on iTunes

Mike Beasley Dec 23 2014 - 9:16 pm PT

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Update: Sony has now announced that “The Interview” will be available on YouTube, Google Play, and Xbox Video today, December 24th, at 1PM Eastern. The film will cost $14.99 to own or $5.99 to rent. Google Play Movies & TV is available for iOS on the App Store.

The New York Times reported earlier today that Sony Pictures had approached Apple about the possibility of streaming the upcoming film “The Interview,” which features actors James Franco and Seth Rogen (who will also appear in the upcoming Steve Jobs biopic) as a US talk show host and producer tasked by the CIA with assassinating North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un.

Earlier this month, hackers with ties to North Korea breached Sony’s system, stole terabytes of data, and threatened physical attacks against theaters that showed the movie. Most national theater chains backed out of the premiere and Sony decided to scrub the entire affair.

The studio immediately began searching for an on-demand service that would host the movie online, including iTunes. According to the Times:

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Facebook Messenger and Heads Up take top slots in Apple’s most popular iOS app lists

Mike Beasley Dec 23 2014 - 2:40 pm PT

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Screen Shot 2014-12-23 at 5.19.06 PM

Apple has released the list of this year’s most popular iOS apps, with Facebook’s Messenger app and Warner Bros.’ Heads Up! game taking the top spots on the free and paid charts, respectively. The freemium Clash of Clans was the top grossing app of 2014.

Social networks claimed all of the top five free spots, with Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram coming in behind Messenger. Between the main Facebook client, Messenger, and Instagram, the social networking company managed to capture the majority of the top five slots.

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Facebook launches ‘Stickered’ companion app for Messenger on iOS

Mike Beasley Dec 22 2014 - 6:03 pm PT

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After moving the messaging component of its iOS client out into a separate app, Facebook has continued its pattern of breaking up the functionality of its software today by launching a new iOS application called Stickered.

The app launched a few days ago on Android, but only became available today for iOS users. It allows users to add stickers to photos from their camera roll, or overlay them directly on a live camera view before snapping a photo.

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Apple Pay claimed 1% of November’s digital payment dollars, new report says

Mike Beasley Dec 19 2014 - 3:27 pm PT

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Apple Pay issues

A new report from ITG has revealed that Apple Pay was responsible for 1% of the total digital payment dollars spent in November. The study also found that 60% of new Apple Pay customers used the service multiple times throughout the month, while competing services like PayPal see only 20% of customers do the same.

Additionally, the research found that shoppers who took advantage of Apple Pay used the service for around 5.3% of their future credit card transactions, accounting for about 2.3% of the total dollars spent on their credit cards.

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Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Stuhlbarg to play Andy Hertzfeld in Steve Jobs biopic

Mike Beasley Dec 18 2014 - 9:16 pm PT

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Michael Stuhlbarg in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire

More casting news regarding the Aaron Sorkin-penned Steve Jobs biopic now being produced by Universal Pictures has come to light in yet another set of leaked Sony emails. According to Deadline, Boardwalk Empire actor Michael Stuhlbarg has been selected to play Andy Hertzfeld, a member of the original Macintosh team.

Apart from Stuhlbarg, several other casting decisions have already been revealed, including Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs and Seth Rogen playing the role of Steve Wozniak. Jeff Daniels is reportedly in talks to play John Sculley.

Of course, the film has changed lead actors, directors, and even studios so many times that at this point that it may be best to take any casting news with a grain of salt.

Watch ABC for Apple TV updated with the ability to watch most recent episodes for all users

Mike Beasley Dec 18 2014 - 4:22 pm PT

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ABC issued an update to its Watch ABC channel on the Apple TV today. The channel now allows all users to watch the latest episodes of their favorite shows, without the need to login through a cable provider, as was previously required.

Of course, you won’t be able to jump in and start watching the newest episode the day after it airs. As was the case with the previous version of the channel, episodes are only made available one week after they’ve aired.

The update also introduces a new…

Apple announces changes to European App Store taxes to take effect January 1st

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 9:12 pm PT

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App Store Free Get

Apple has sent an email to iOS developers informing them of upcoming changes to the way taxes are handled on European App Store purchases. Rather than use the same VAT rate across the entire European Union, Apple will now calculate the charges based on the customer’s home country.

This could lead to a rise in app prices in some countries where value-added taxes are higher than users are currently being charged. Apple also notes in the email that developer’s cuts of app profits will be calculated after the VAT has been deducted from the purchase price.

The changes will go into effect on January 1st. Apple’s tax practices recently came under fire from government authorities.

Tim Cook praises Apple’s accomplishments, reveals $20 million (PRODUCT)RED donation in holiday email

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 5:57 pm PT

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Cook

Apple CEO Tim Cook sent a company-wide email today recapping the year’s accomplishments and looking forward to 2015. Cook praises the “most innovative lineup ever” and expresses his pride in the hard work his employees have put into each product.

The executive highlights this year’s 30th anniversary of the Mac and the release of the latest iPhones, iPads, Mac hardware, and mobile and desktop operating systems, as well as the first public announcement of the Apple Watch. He refers again to Apple’s commitment to helping promote education, and reveals for the first time that this year’s App Store and Apple Online Store (PRODUCT)RED promotions helped the company donate over $20 million to fighting AIDS this year.

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Apple looking for London-based ‘Apple Pay Intern’ to help expand service into Europe

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 5:13 pm PT

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A new UK job listing posted on Apple’s website and uncovered by iClarified indicates that the company is planning to expands its payment service into Europe and elsewhere. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that Apple wants to put its iPhone 6-based payment system into as many hands worldwide as possible, but this is one of the first indications of a move in that direction.

The intern will be part of a new London-based team that will help roll the product out across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Asia. Specifically the intern will be responsible for handling contracts and non-disclosure agreements between Apple and third-parties like banks and retailers.

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‘Thinking Cleaner’ aims to combine iOS 8’s HomeKit with your Roomba

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 3:57 pm PT

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A new product on Kickstarter is aiming to integrate iOS 8’s new HomeKit features into the Roomba automated vacuum cleaner (which our own Ben Lovejoy listed as one of the best home automation gifts for 2014). That product is the Thinking Cleaner, which is basically a new faceplate for your Roomba. Inside the faceplate, however, are the necessary electronics to connect the device to Wi-Fi and control it from your smartphone.

The Thinking Cleaner’s actual feature list is pretty extensive. It allows you to schedule cleaning cycles not only from the web, but from a native iOS app as well. It can also use geofencing to detect when you leave the house and automatically start cleaning. User-customizable notifications can let you know when the Roomba starts cleaning, even when you’re not home.

You can use a “Find my Roomba”-style feature to play a sound from the vacuum, allowing you to quickly locate it, then remotely steer it back to you. Because it works with HomeKit, you can also expect to see some Siri integration as well. The Thinking Cleaner can pull software updates over-the-air, allowing it to gain new capabilities even after buying it.

You can find a lot more information, including several videos on the design of the faceplate, on the Thinking Cleaner’s Kickstarter page.

Judge denies media requests for public release of Steve Jobs deposition from iPod antitrust case

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 3:28 pm PT

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stevejobs1

A judge decided today to deny media requests for a public release of Steve Jobs’ videotaped deposition in last week’s iPod antitrust case. Apple had been fighting back against these requests, saying that members of the press who wanted to air the video just wanted to see “a dead man.”

The ruling essentially states that since live testimony from witnesses was not recorded and then released to the media, the Jobs deposition should not be either. Because the video was not entered into evidence as an exhibit, it can’t be treated like evidence.

There was also a concern expressed in the ruling that in the future, witnesses might be hesitant to give videotaped depositions if they believed the video might be released to the press. Transcriptions of the portions of the video shown in court are included in the public record, and the judge found that to be sufficient.

You can real the full ruling below (via Apple Insider).

Drafts for iOS regains Notification Center widget in latest update

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 2:38 pm PT

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A few weeks ago, the popular note-taking app Drafts for iOS was updated at Apple’s request to remove its Notification Center widget, which the company said violated the rules for extensions. Now, it seems the tech giant has reversed its decision. Today’s 4.0.6 update to Drafts re-introduces the widget, which has gained additional functionality since the previous version.

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Microsoft’s Xim photo app updated with support for Apple TV streaming over AirPlay

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 8:00 am PT

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHAyOKtyjhs&feature=youtu.be]

Microsoft updated its Xim photo sharing application today with support for viewing photos over AirPlay on an Apple TV. The instructions for setting up AirPlay streaming (demonstrated in the video above) are relatively simple: just pull up Control Center and activate the AirPlay mirroing function that’s built into iOS. After that, you’ll see your slideshows on your TV in real time.

Xim allows users to create shared photo slideshows that stay in sync across multiple devices. Whenever a user changes the slideshow by zooming in, switching photos, or changing something else, all users currently viewing that slideshow will see the change in real time.

The Xim app is free for all users on the iOS App Store.

Fleksy keyboard for iOS updated with GIF support, extensions, and new themes

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 6:00 am PT

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A major update to the Fleksy keyboard for iOS was released today, adding several big new features and a handful of new themes to the popular app. Most of the new features are added through a framework called Extensions.

Extensions allow the user to specify certain optional features to be included on the keyboard. Some of the extensions that come with the new app include a fifth row on the keyboard for numbers, the aforementioned GIF keyboard, and even a one-handed typing mode on newer iPhones. Several others are also included.

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Pixelmator for Mac gets pinch-to-zoom support and a bevy of other improvements

Mike Beasley Dec 16 2014 - 7:04 pm PT

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Popular image editor Pixelmator has been updated today with a whole host of new features, fixes, and improvements. First on the list is something many users (myself included!) have been hoping to see for quite a while now: full support for Apple’s pinch-to-zoom gesture. The update also makes the Shapes, Gradients, and Styles palettes capable of scrolling and being resized.

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Waze mapping app updated with iOS 8 widget, improved traffic data, and more

Mike Beasley Dec 16 2014 - 5:48 pm PT

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Popular mapping application Waze was updated today to version 3.9.2. According to the app’s change log (below), it’s gotten several design tweaks to areas, including the location sharing interface and quick-messaging screen, which allows you to quickly notify friends that you’re on the way.

The app also gained a Today view widget that displays the estimated travel time to your home or work addresses, and allows you to quickly get directions to either location by tapping on them. You can also send your ETA to friends from the widget while navigating to your destination.

Traffic data is now improved when changing a route to avoid slowdowns, and a new setting allows the map to automatically swap between 2D and 3D styles. Of course, the usual miscellaneous bug fixes are also included.

You can grab the updated Waze app for free on the App Store.

What’s New in Version 3.9.2

– Sending “I’m on my way” message is simpler than ever! With a new design and layout, you can easily keep your friends & family posted on the progress of your drive.
– New Waze Today Widget for iOS 8! Quickly view your ETA for Home or Work, navigate with one tap, and easily send your current drive & ETA (when navigating). Pull down your Notification Center and tap Edit to add the extension.
– Updated look and function for sending a location.
– ETA & route changes now include richer traffic information.
– New map display setting automatically switches between 2D and 3D view.
– Bug fixes and performance enhancements.

Bose reportedly planning to take on rival Beats Music with upcoming music streaming platform

Mike Beasley Dec 15 2014 - 6:59 pm PT

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Beats on Apple TV

Bose and Beats have been at each other’s throats in recent months, with the former inking a deal with the NFL to ban the Apple-owned company’s gear from appearing on camera at the league’s events. Apple fired back by pulling Bose products from its physical and online stores.

Now things may be about to get even more interesting between the two companies as Bose reportedly plans to launch a direct competitor to the Beats Music streaming service. The information comes from a job listing posted by the speaker manufacturer.

The listing states in no uncertain terms that…