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Mike Beasley

Apple’s request to remove court-appointed ebooks antitrust monitor rejected

Mike Beasley Feb 10 2014 - 3:15 pm PT

A motion by Apple to halt the operations of a court-appointed antitrust monitor has been rejected, the Wall Street Journal reports. The lawyer, Michael Bromwich, was appointed by the court to ensure the compliance Apple’s iBook platform with antitrust laws. Apple previously petitioned the court to have Bromwich removed from his post, believing that his $1,100/hour legal fees were leading him to take undue investigative steps solely for the purpose of overcharging the Cupertino company.

Bromwich was temporarily taken off of Apple’s case, but subsequently returned to continue his duties. Apple then accused Bromwich of going beyond his legal authority and requested once again that he be removed from the company’s case. Today the court ruled that Apple’s request would have resulted in Bromwich being unable to execute his legal duties, and thus rejected the injunction.

The full ruling is embedded below:

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SF planning commission votes to accept Union Square Apple Store called “more iconic than the glass cube in NYC”

Mike Beasley Feb 6 2014 - 4:51 pm PT

4 Comments

The San Francisco city planning commission voted today in favor of accepting the new Apple Store in Union Square, which an Apple spokesman said would be “a flagship” store that would become “more iconic than the glass cube in New York City.”

The changes announced today include moving the historic fountain outside the new location to center it in the resized plaza. According to Apple’s architect, the fountain will be moved in one piece rather than disassembled and rebuilt a few feet away from its current position. Apple’s previous plan to relocate the fountain was not satisfactory to the city’s historic preservation committee, but the new plan was accepted this week.

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Apple posts new 30-second iPhone ad created from Burberry fashion show footage

Mike Beasley Feb 5 2014 - 6:17 pm PT

5 Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKcBNbRSdyI]

In September of 2013, Apple and Burberry partnered up to shoot an entire fashion show using only iPhones. Today Apple released a new thirty-second ad for the iPhone 5s that features footage from the show combined with behind-the-scenes footage of the iPhones used to document the event.

The show was filmed with fourteen different iPhones throughout the venue just prior to the public release of the phone to the public.

Apple seeds new OS X Server 3.1 developer build following iOS 7.1 beta 5 release

Mike Beasley Feb 4 2014 - 2:27 pm PT

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Apple has released a new beta of OS X Server 3.1 to developers. The update requires OS X 10.9.2 on the target machine and has a build number of 13S4090c. The previous build was released on January 21st.

This developer preview follows the release of iOS 7.1 beta 5, which came out earlier this morning. You can grab both betas on Apple’s Developer Center.

Release Notes
OS X Server Preview
OS X Server 3.1 Preview (Build 13S4090c) is now available for testing on OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 systems.

Minimum System Requirements
To install OS X Server Preview, you need one of these computers:

iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)

MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)

MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)

Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)

Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)

Xserve (Early 2009)

Your Mac needs:
• OS X Mavericks 10.9.2
• At least 2GB of RAM
• At least 10 GB of available disk space (50 GB if you wish to use Caching Server)

Installation Instructions
Install OS X Server 3.1 Preview 13S4090c on a computer running OS X Mavericks 10.9.2.

This preview supports migrations from OS X Lion Server 10.7.5 and OS X Server 2.2.2 and updating from OS X Server 3.0.2 or later.

Noteworthy Changes and Areas to Test
OS X Server 3.1 Preview 13S4090c is focused on general Server and Profile Manger bug fixes.

Bug Reporting
When reporting a bug, enter the following command in Terminal, then attach the output to the bug report.
$ sudo /Applications/Server.app/Contents/ServerRoot/usr/sbin/ serverloggather

Known Issues!
Profile Manager
• When using a self-signed certificate, the Invalid Certificate sheet may not appear after saving login credentials using Safari 7.0.2. The workaround is to navigate back, and then forward, in Safari.”
• The “Enable VPP Managed Distribution Service” checkbox gets stuck in a the “Processing VPP information….” state. The workaround is to click the Refresh button in the bottom toolbar to force an update.
Other
• Updating to OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 disables WebDAV for Wiki Server. To restore Wiki share points on WebDAV clients upgrading, run the following command in Terminal: sudo apachectl restart
• In Xcode Server, automated logic tests run in the simulator may fail with an error similar to: “Test target [test name] encountered an error (Test process exited with code -1).
• In Caching Server following a migration OS X Snow Leopard Server to OS X Server 3.1 Preview 13S4090c, the data directory is not created. The workaround is to turn the Caching Server service on.

AAPL Company

Apple posts behind-the-scenes video detailing the creation of its ‘1.24.14’ ad

Mike Beasley Feb 3 2014 - 4:36 pm PT

5 Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vslQm7IYME4]

Apple has just published a new YouTube video that goes behind-the-scenes of the ad released earlier today. Video teams in 10 countries across the world were given an iPhone 5s (or several) and lead by the U.S.-based director Jake Scott via FaceTime to film the entire globe-spanning video in just one day.

The video was created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mac, though it does have some focus on iOS devices. Over 70 hours of footage were recorded and then distilled down to a minute-and-a-half video using a Mac. A web page published along with the video features an even more in-depth look at the process.

Turkish government confirms meeting between Tim Cook, President Abdullah Gül ahead of nation’s first Apple Store opening

Mike Beasley Feb 3 2014 - 2:56 pm PT

2 Comments

Shortly after Apple opened its online store in Turkey late last year, it was rumored that Tim Cook would meet with that country’s president. The meeting would precede the opening of the first Apple Retail Store in Turkey which was originally said to be on track for January.

Toady, the Turkish government has confirmed this meeting through a presidental schedule published on the government’s website. The meeting will take place at 11:00 AM local time on Feburary 4th (that’s about 4 AM the same day on the U.S. east coast). The two will reportedly discuss a $4 billion plan to bring iPads to Turkey’s schools—a deal Apple outbid several other companies to secure.

AAPL Company

Download U2’s ‘Invisible’ from iTunes for free and Bank of America will donate $1 to (RED)

Mike Beasley Feb 2 2014 - 8:00 pm PT

3 Comments

Bank of America has partnered with iTunes and (RED) to bring U2 fans a free download of U2’s “Invisible.” For each download, Bank of America will donate $1 to (RED) to help fight AIDS.

While Apple didn’t run a Super Bowl ad for the Mac’s 30th anniversary this year, the iTunes announcement was accompanied by an ad promoting the new (RED) promotion, embedded below.

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Tim Cook visits with UAE Prime Minister then visits local electronics retailers

Mike Beasley Feb 2 2014 - 11:45 am PT

1 Comment

Apple CEO Tim Cook was spotted at several electronics outlets in the United Arab Emirates this week, starting with the Virgin Megastore at Al Wahda Mall, according to the store’s Facebook page. He also visited the Jacky’s electronics store at the Dubai Mall.

[tweet https://twitter.com/jackysuae/status/429962418681167873 align=’center’]

Both stores are Apple resellers, so perhaps Cook is simply checking up on Apple’s representation in the country. Some have speculated that he could be scouting locations for an official Apple outlet in one of these malls.

It’s also possible Cook is in the UAE to discuss Apple’s involvement in the upcoming Gulf Photo Plus photography festival, for which Apple is a sponsor this year. That doesn’t seem extremely likely, however, given that the festival is over a month away.

[tweet https://twitter.com/mohamedsomji/status/430036590615101440 align=’center’]

Update: Cook also visited the UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as shown in the somewhat awkward video below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2FTJBrAXXE]

Apple takes fourth place in EPA’s list of green-powered tech companies

Mike Beasley Feb 2 2014 - 11:11 am PT

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The Environmental Protection Agency has published its list of the top 30 tech and telecom companies in the U.S. that take advantage of the most renewable energy sources, placing Apple near the top of the bunch at fourth place. Apple’s green power consumption reached 537,393,667 kWh, according to the EPA’s report.

According to the EPA, only Intel, Microsoft, and Google use more green energy than the Cupertino company—though Apple definitely takes the prize for sourcing its power from the longest list of providers (eleven, compared to the next-highest count of only five).

The study also notes that around 85% of Apple’s total power usage comes from “green” sources, such as wind and solar, while the other 15% comes from non-green sources.

New renderings show proposed Union Square Apple Store with 23-foot sliding glass doors

Mike Beasley Feb 2 2014 - 10:05 am PT

31 Comments

A set of new renderings of the proposed Union Square Apple retail location was presented to the San Francisco Planning Department this week that show an updated design for the store’s entrance. The new renders depict the store with massive 23-foot wide sliding glass doors (which measure nearly 45 feet tall each) that a large section of the storefront to open to the street.

Regular-sized doors on either side of the larger ones will allow customers to come and go if the main doors are closed.

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Apps

MLB begins rollout of iBeacon technology in baseball stadiums for next season

Mike Beasley Jan 30 2014 - 4:25 pm PT

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Last year it was reported that Major League Baseball fans would soon be able to take advantage of iOS 7’s iBeacon support inside professional baseball stadiums. The technology would be utilized in the MLB.com At The Ballpark app to customize the app’s interface to any given ballpark.

The app could direct users to their seats or points of interest such as concessions stands. Similar to Passbook’s lockscreen functionality, plans were also reportedly underway to allow the app to automatically present a ticket upon entering the gate.

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Lenovo on Moto aquisition: Our mission is to surpass Apple and Samsung

Mike Beasley Jan 30 2014 - 4:03 pm PT

6 Comments

Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang spoke to CNNMoney about his company’s recent acquisition of Motorola from Google today. In the interview, Yang was asked if his goal for Lenovo was to eventually catch up with more established competitors in the mobile space, such as Apple and Samsung.

With Motorola, Lenovo will be the No. 3 smartphone maker worldwide. Do you think your company can catch up with Apple or Samsung, who are still far ahead of you? And how long will it take?

Definitely, over time. Our mission is to surpass them.

Yang says that Lenovo’s smartphones will probably be released under the Motorola banner, a smart branding decision given Motorola’s existing name recognition and popularity in the U.S. and other countries.

The branding choice combined with the infrastructure and personnel from the Moto buyout could help propel the company to the top of the market, but it will be a hard road to the level of success that Yang is after—especially with Apple and Samsung already locked in a fierce, years-long battle for the top spot.

Throughout the interview, Yang continued to note that several decisions still need to be made with regards to how phones will be branded in certain countries and whether the Lenovo name will be associated with Motorola at all. It will certainly be interesting to see how Yang uses the Motorola brand to push Lenovo forward.

AAPL Company

CARROT Fit arrives on the App Store, threatens to destroy your body fat… and self-esteem

Mike Beasley Jan 30 2014 - 7:00 am PT

7 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrHeZDMI91U]

Meatbags beware: the App Store’s most popular sadistic artificial intelligence is back. CARROT Fit, a brand new app from the creator of the to-do and alarm clock apps in the CARROT family, was launched today.

The latest addition to the CARROT family is designed to help you get your massive bloated body into something resembling a respectable shape.

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Tim Cook: iPhone 5c popular among first-time iPhone buyers, but not as popular as expected

Mike Beasley Jan 27 2014 - 5:10 pm PT

47 Comments

During today’s earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that the iPhone 5c was the most popular choice among new iPhone users. However, the colorful new lower-end device did not meet the company’s expectations in sales. Despite the fact that iPhone 5s sales came in above Apple’s target, the iPhone category overall significantly missed analysts’ projected sales mark of 55 million units.

It’s likely that Apple misjudged the low-end smartphone market here, believing that users would jump at the chance for a “new” iPhone at a lower price than usual. Smartphone shoppers don’t seem to be taking the bait, instead opting for the more expensive, more “premium” 5s or going elsewhere. It’s hard to say they’re making the wrong call, considering that the iPhone 5c is actually much closer in specs to the previous generation than it is to the latest model, which seems to be more than worth its $100 premium.

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Facebook update allows you to hide certain stories and people from your news feed

Mike Beasley Jan 27 2014 - 4:01 pm PT

4 Comments

A Facebook for iOS update that was released earlier today includes the ability to hide certain people from your main news feed. To do so, just tap the downward arrow on any post and select the “I don’t like this post” option. From there you can select from a few different options for hiding the post or the user that posted it.

The iPhone version of the app also allows you to see all of your videos in a single album. This feature didn’t make it to the iPad version for some reason, but it might make the jump in a future update.

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

What’s New in Version 6.9

• Choose whose posts you see in News Feed
• See all the videos you’ve uploaded in one album (iPhone only)

Tech Industry

Logitech Business announces new Mac-compatible group video conferencing system

Mike Beasley Jan 27 2014 - 1:00 am PT

2 Comments

Logitech has announced the ConferenceCam CC3000e, a new OS X-compatible video conferencing system for businesses. The system is designed to provide any business with a low-cost solution that allows full-HD video calls designed to work best with small to mid-size groups. The CC3000e features:

Full-HD 1080p video
90° field of view
260° pan with remote control
Lossless 10x zoom
Omni-directional stero or mono audio with noise and echo cancellation
Mac, PC, and mobile compatible through USB, Bluetooth, or NFC

The CC3000e is available for $999.99 from third-party retailers. The company’s full press release is below.

Logitech Unveils Breakthrough Group Video Conferencing Solution

Logitech ConferenceCam CC3000e turns any meeting room into a video-enabled collaboration room

NEWARK, Calif. — Jan. 27, 2014 — Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today introduced a breakthrough video conferencing solution. While a typical video conferencing setup can cost $7,000 or far more, the Logitech® ConferenceCam CC3000e — at under $1,000 – is a powerful yet affordable video conferencing solution that can turn any small or midsize conference room into a video-enabled collaboration room. Optimized for workgroups of six to 10 people, the Logitech ConferenceCam CC3000e is an all-in-one solution with 1080p HD video, enterprise-quality audio and the ability to easily connect to a laptop or thin client to give workers the productivity benefits of crystal-clear, face-to-face communication.

With its flexibility and affordability, the Logitech ConferenceCam CC3000e empowers companies of all sizes to realize the benefits of video collaboration. “The number of meeting rooms and collaboration spaces has exploded in new office environments. Yet the cost and complexity of deployment and use of current video conferencing solutions has made it impossible to equip 95 percent of these rooms, forcing employees to revert to voice,” said Eric Kintz, Logitech senior vice president. “The ConferenceCam CC3000e is a breakthrough in group video conferencing allowing people to collaborate on their own terms anywhere, any time and with any device and any application.”

“The way enterprises collaborate is rapidly changing,” said Andrew W. Davis, senior partner and co-founder at Wainhouse Research. “These changes include a shift in user preferences toward personal, software-based solutions and consumer devices (BYOD). Many IT teams are responding by providing video-enabled solutions for use in smaller meeting rooms and workspaces – and not replicating the dedicated video solutions traditionally found in the large, executive boardrooms. Logitech’s newest ConferenceCam addresses this shift with features that maintain the familiar software-based experience at a price that is affordable for any size company.”

The ConferenceCam CC3000e features a 90-degree field of view with 10x lossless zoom, a Carl Zeiss^®-certified glass lens and remote-controlled 260-degree pan, making viewing closeups and whiteboard details very clear. Additional touches include noise and echo cancellation, omni-directional stereo or mono sound with 20-foot diameter range, plug-and-play ability to work with any software client and a Kensington Security slot to help deter theft.

The Logitech ConferenceCam CC3000e can easily connect to a Mac®, PC, tablet or smartphone – using USB for Mac and PCs, and Bluetooth^® or Near Field Communication (NFC) connectivity for smartphone or tablet audio streaming. It is also optimized for Microsoft® Lync, Cisco® Jabber and WebEx compatible, Skype™ certified and integrated with Vidyo®, ensuring an integrated experience. The Logitech ConferenceCam CC3000e includes a speakerphone, camera, optional wall mount and remote control that connect through a single hub with up to 32 feet of cable, allowing the camera and speakerphone to operate separately if desired.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech® ConferenceCam CC3000e is expected to be available worldwide in January 2014 for a suggested price of $999.99 in the U.S. For more information, please visit www.logitech.com/business or our blog.

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

Tech Industry

KGI predicts Samsung Galaxy S5 specs, including 5.2-inch display and fingerprint sensor

Mike Beasley Jan 25 2014 - 4:36 pm PT

10 Comments

KGI Research has issued its predictions for Samsung’s next flagship Galaxy device. The document suggests that the phone will be available in two different configurations. The standard version will come equipped with 2 GB of RAM, a quad-core Qualcomm MS M 8974AC or 8-core Samsung Exynos 5422 processor, 2 GB of RAM, a 2 MP front-facing camera, a 16 MP rear camera, and a massive 5.2-inch full HD AMOLED display.

A second, “prime” configuration will feature an upgraded 8-core Samsung Exynos 5430 processor, a quad-HD AMOLED panel, and 3 GB of memory. The other components will be the same between devices.

The big story here, however, is the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner no doubt designed to rival the Touch ID sensor found in Apple’s iPhone 5s. The document also indicates that the phone will have “3D gesture support,” which we suspect may point to an expansion of the existing air-gesture system.

AAPL Company

Apple reportedly planning to let you buy physical goods through your iTunes account

Mike Beasley Jan 24 2014 - 5:10 pm PT

16 Comments

Up until now, the closest Apple has come to offering its own iTunes-powered payment system is the ability to store existing credit cards and login information in an iCloud-synced keychain, but the Wall Street Journal reports that the company has much more in store.

According to the Journal‘s report, Apple is planning to create a system that would allow users to purchase goods in physical stores through their iTunes accounts using an iPhone. Eddy Cue, Apple’s head of iTunes, reportedly met with executives throughout the technology industry recently to discuss the possibility of Apple entering this market.

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Tech Industry

Apple’s global iPhone market share gains attributed to Samsung’s inability to meet estimates

Mike Beasley Jan 23 2014 - 6:23 pm PT

3 Comments

A new report from Bloomberg indicates that Apple’s global mobile market share gains can be attributed to Samsung missing analysts’ shrinking sales estimates. As the rising popularity of cheaper smartphones erodes Samsung’s profit margin, the company continues to struggle to meet industry estimates.

According to the report, Samsung also faces a new threat from Apple in China. Following the Cupertino company’s deal with China Mobile, Apple is expected to make tremendous gains in that country, further pressuring Samsung to drop prices in order to maintain any hope of competing in the market. This, in turn, will drive the Korean manufacturer’s profits even lower.

Analysts are hopeful that the inbound Galaxy S5 can help balance out the company’s losses, but don’t expect that it will help Samsung regain its lost market share.

Apps

iWork for iOS and Mac updated with password-protected files, new Keynote transitions, and a lot more

Mike Beasley Jan 23 2014 - 3:11 pm PT

5 Comments

Following today’s Keynote for Mac and iWork for iCloud updates, Apple has updated Pages, Keynote, and Numbers for iPhone and iPad to version 2.1 today. The Mac versions of Pages and Numbers have also received updates. Like the web versions, each app gained support for sharing password-protected documents via iCloud links.

Keynote for iOS also gained new transitions, a remote feature for controlling the Mac version, and more.

Keynote for iOS
• Use the new remote feature to control slideshows on other devices
• New transitions including Droplet and Grid
• Enhanced presenter display options
• Share password-protected documents via iCloud link
• Create charts with date, time, and duration values
• Custom number formats in charts are preserved on import of Keynote ’09 and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations
• Improved compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 presentations
• Bug fixes and stability improvements

Keynote Remote, which is integrated into the aforementioned update, is no longer visible in the App Store. But the direct link continues to work.

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Cable companies sue Apple’s Rockstar consortium over patent conspiracy

Mike Beasley Jan 21 2014 - 9:18 pm PT

3 Comments

The Apple/Sony/Blackberry/Microsoft-backed Rockstar consortium is involved in yet another patent lawsuit. This time, several large US cable companies are up in arms over the idea that Rockstar is preparing to break up its patent portfolio into a host of smaller shell companies, each of which would hold a portion of the key patents needed by said cable companies.

Essentially any cable company that failed to license the entire former Nortel portfolio could be litigated against, facing lawsuits and sky-high legal costs.

It’s possible that the cable companies also see Apple TV as a threat to their channel packaging business model.

The full lawsuit is below.

iOS Devices

A look at some of the most interesting tweaks for jailbroken iOS 7 devices

Mike Beasley Jan 21 2014 - 5:34 pm PT

21 Comments

Now that the iPhone 5s and iOS 7 have been jailbroken for a while, tweak developers have had some time to evaluate the current state of iOS and find some great ways to improve on the existing features.

Below you’ll find a bunch of great iOS 7-ready tweaks for your newly-jailbroken iOS 7 devices. Most of them are free, but the ones that cost are worth the price (or maybe even more).

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Apple releases preview of OS X Server 3.1 to developers

Mike Beasley Jan 21 2014 - 2:09 pm PT

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Apple has just pushed out a developer preview of the next OS X Server update, version 3.1. The update has a build number of 12S4076f and is designed to run on the recently-released 10.9.2 beta.

You can grab the update from Apple’s Mac developer center now. The seed notes are below.

OS X Server Preview (Build 13S4076f) is now available for testing on OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 systems.
Minimum System Requirements

To install OS X Server Preview, you need one of these computers:
– iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
– MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
– MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
– MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
– Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
– Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
– Xserve (Early 2009)

Your Mac needs:
– OS X Mavericks 10.9.2
– At least 2 GB of RAM
– At least 10 GB of available disk space (50 GB if you wish to use Caching Server)

Installation Instructions

Please be aware that you will not be able to revert back to your previous system after updating. Please install this update on a system you are prepared to erase if necessary.

Install OS X Server Preview 13S4076f on a computer running OS X Mavericks 10.9.2.
This preview supports migrations from OS X Lion Server 10.7.5 and OS X Server 2.2.2 and updating from OS X Server 3.0.1.
Known Issues

– In Profile Manager, the “+” and “-“ buttons within the payload editor do not add or remove a payload when administering from an iPad.
– In the Xcode Server Web UI, bot creation may skip from Step 2 to Step 4. The workaround is to quit Safari and retry.
Noteworthy Change and Areas to Test

Profile Manager
– Fixed a syntax error issue in migration SQL.

Snapchat comes to the Mac with unofficial “Snapped” beta client, but don’t expect a complete experience just yet

Mike Beasley Jan 21 2014 - 9:47 am PT

6 Comments

Since the app’s release, Snapchat has only been available for smartphones. An official desktop client has never been created, and due to the nature of the app, it doesn’t seem like one ever will. That’s not to say you’ll never be able to send snaps from your Mac, though

A new app called Snapped was released to the public as a private beta today. It’s a Snapchat client for the Mac, but as a third-party client, the app is subject to certain restrictions and limitations that the official mobile client doesn’t have to deal with.

So what’s in the beta? Keep reading for a full breakdown. Just keep in mind that since this is a beta, it could undergo substantial changes as the development progresses.

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