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Spotify confirms it now has 10 million paying subscribers

spotify-celebrate-10million-guitar-rev07-01On the heels of the Beats acquisition that Apple is still yet to officially confirm, every music streaming service’s biggest competitor is today hoping to keep everyone interested: Spotify just announced it has increased its paid subscriber base to 10 million users from the 6 million users it reported earlier this year in March. Recode first posted the stats and also noted on top of paid customers Spotify now “has more than 40 million active users, in 56 markets around the world.”

Spotify of course has a big lead on Beats’ recently launched subscription music service, which as of latest reports has just around a couple hundred thousand paying subscribers. Also of note, there is some confusion over whether or not Beats subscriber numbers include those getting a free 90-day subscription through AT&T and subscribers getting access through a $14.99 group plan. However, it’s clear Beats early sub numbers aren’t that important to Apple’s long-term goals and its plan for the company and streaming service. Even Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek admitted to Recode “that the service has yet to break through to mainstream audiences in many markets, including the United States.”

Apple updates WWDC for iPhone and iPad with new design and conference schedule

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With WWDC less than two weeks away now, Apple has released WWDC 2.0 for iPhone and iPad today on the App Store. The update revamps the user interface to reflect the design changes introduced with iOS 7 at last year’s WWDC conference. The update also includes a new icon to reflect the design changes: from dark purple to bright orange. The update also includes the latest schedule for this year’s conference (or as much as it will reveal) so developers attending the conference will want to download and reference it soon.


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Southwest Airlines adds mobile boarding pass support for 28 airports to iPhone app

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Southwest Airlines has issued an update to its iPhone and iPod touch app that should make the lives of several frequent travelers a bit easier. The company has added mobile boarding pass support to the app for 28 airports, which is up from the previously supported handful of airpots. Here are all the supported airports (including the new 28 and previously supported ones):

ABQ, ATL, AUS, BWI, BNA, BUR, DAL, DEN, FLL, HOU, LAS, LAX, MCI, MCO, MDW, MKE, MSY, OAK, PHL, PHX, RSW, SAN, SFO, SJC, SMF, SNA, STL, TPA

Mobile boarding pass functionality allows travelers to pull up their pass on their phones to be scanned upon check-in and security checkpoints at airports. Some additional features to make the user-interface simpler and more helpful have also been added in this 2.4 update:

-New upcoming trip cards on your homepage so you can quickly view the info that matters to you the most while traveling like Flight Status, Boarding Position, and Gate Information.
-Ability to access our most popular tools like Checkin and your Mobile Boarding Pass options right from the home screen.
-Additional bug fixes and improvements.

The update is (of course) free on the App Store.


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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & 3 now available for Mac

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A few years after hitting consoles, Aspyr announced today that it’s bringing a couple of the most popular games from the Call of Duty franchise to Mac, including: Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3 as well as all DLC for both titles.

The games aren’t available in the Mac App Store, but Aspyr is making them available through Steam and its own GameAgent online store today alongside all maps packs and other DLC. SteamPlay support means you’ll be able to pick up the title up once and play it on both Mac and PC.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 picks up immediately following the historic events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, with players facing off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. And Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continues the series’ epic storyline with even bigger and more explosive action.

While the release is already a few titles behind the console releases, it does bring Mac gamers some great new Call of Duty content including multiplayer for both games. The games are certainly an upgrade from the last COD release to hit the Mac: 2010’s Black Ops.

Both games feature:

  • Cinematic, action-packed single player campaigns
  • Cross-platform competitive multiplayer and cooperative online play
  • Multiple DLC Packs which add new maps and other great content to the multiplayer experience
  • Steam Works integration and Steam Play support
  • And more!
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Amazon Cloud Drive Photos app gets revamped albums w/ large cover photos & more

Amazon updated its Cloud Drive Photos app for iOS today with a few nice new features for viewing and managing photos and video stored in the app.

The app, which offers 5GB of storage free and automatically backs up photo and video from your iOS device, now includes a revamped album view with large cover photos in addition to other new photo management features. You’ll also now see your photo as its being uploaded within the progress indicator as well as dates when transitioning between months and years while viewing photos: Swiping through photos in the single photo view now lets you know when you transition between months or years. 

Lastly, Amazon notes the app now includes a filter to sort photos by newest or oldest first.

The updated Amazon Cloud Drive Photos app is available now on the App Store.

What’s New in Version 3.1.0

– New Album View: Quickly scroll through your albums with large, beautiful cover photos for each of them
– Upload Progress: See your photos as their being uploaded to the cloud
– Know when your photos were taken: Swiping through photos in the single photo view now lets you know when you transition between months or years
– Sort your Photos: Choose to see your photos newest first or oldest first
– Bug and Crash Fixes

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Apple updates OS X Server with Calendar and Messages improvements

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Apple has issued a software update to its OS X Server software for Macs that interacts with other Macs and iOS Devices. OS X Server, instead of an entire operating system, is simply now a suite of applications that run within OS Mavericks. Today’s update brings various enhancements and improvements:

What’s New in Version 3.1.2
• Calendar Server improvements for imports, invites and group scheduling
• Improvements to Messages Server stability when using Chat Rooms
• Fixes for Profile Manager deploying profiles containing variables when code signing is enabled
• Improved Profile Manager reliability for sending Volume Purchase Program invitations
• Fixes to enable Profile Manager to manage Device Enrollment Program systems with long descriptive names

The update also includes various security enhancements. Today’s update is free, while new purchases of OS X Server costs $19.99 on the Mac App Store. 


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Apple likely allowing promo codes for in-app purchases through App Store Code Program

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Up until now, Apple has limited promo codes on the App Store to app downloads and hasn’t allowed developers to offer codes for in-app purchases and Newsstand issues. However, as noted by 148apps, EA is currently offering promo codes that allow users of its Real Racing 3 iOS app to get an in-app purchase normally valued at $1.99.

In-app-promo-codeWhile users aren’t forced to enter a promo code manually in the App Store, visiting an EA website sends users to the App Store and automatically redeems the code for the in-app content. iOS also prompts users that have not yet installed the free Real Racing 3 app to do so in order to claim the in-app purchase code.

Apple’s developer documentation for promo codes currently states “Promo codes don’t work for In-App Purchase products, including Newsstand issues,” but it has unofficially supported workarounds in the past that developers have used to offer free in-app content for promotions.

It’s also a possibility that Apple is allowing the in-app purchase codes through its App Store Code Program that offers developers the ability to run special promotions. Apple recently detailed the program in a TechTalk:

Apple uses the program to let developers offer, for example, more than the usual 100 promo codes per app version and EA has used the program for several promotions in the past.

Apple updates Podcasts iOS app w/ Siri support, CarPlay, improved episode browsing, more

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In addition to the release of OS X 10.9.3 alongside updates to iTunes and iTunes Connect, Apple today released version 2.1 of its Podcasts app for iPhone and iPad.

Notably, the app now adds support for Siri, allowing users to ask Siri to “play podcasts” or play specific podcasts using commands like “Play TedTalks.” Apple also notes that many enhancements have been made to navigation to improve episode browsing in the app:

• Quickly find episodes you haven’t listened to in the new Unplayed tab
• Browse episodes that are available to download or stream in the Feed tab
• Save your favorite episodes to keep them offline
• Episodes can now be automatically deleted after you play them
• Tap on links that appear in podcast and episode descriptions to open them in Safari

Apple is also including support for its new CarPlay feature in the updated app, which is debuting in select vehicles and aftermarket systems this year. In addition, you’ll find other tweaks and improvements to navigation in version 2.1.The updated Podcasts app is available on the App Store now and a full list of what’s new is below:
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Apple finally redesigns iTunes Connect for iOS 7

 

In addition to a series of other software updates today (Podcasts, OS X, Safari, iTunes), Apple has finally released a redesigned version of the iTunes Connect utility for developers via the App Store.

What’s New in Version 3.0

iTunes Connect has been completely redesigned to make it even easier to manage your products. In addition, you can now use the iTunes Connect app to access the music, movies, and TV shows you have made available on the iTunes Store.

The update is available for free on the App Store now.

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Hitman Absolution – Elite Edition now available for Mac

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Hitman Absolution, the latest full-length installment in IO Interactive’s popular Hitman franchise, is today arriving for Mac users as a download on the Mac App Store and elsewhere.

Become Agent 47, a genetically-engineered killer, and use your skill and ingenuity to turn assassination into an art. With extraordinary reflexes, creative stealth techniques and a powerful arsenal of weapons at your fingertips, pulling off the perfect hit has never been so much fun.

The release is the “Elite Edition,” which means you’ll also get all previously released add-on content that has been released since the game first hit game consoles in 2012.

The game is available to download on the Mac App Store now for $28.99. A Steam Play compatible version of the game is also available for $25 from Feral Interactive’s website and Steam.

Earlier this year Square Enix released a turn-based strategy version of Hitman for the iOS devices.

More Mac and iOS game deals over at 9to5Toys

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Foursquare’s new check-in focused app “Swarm” is now available

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Location sharing and reviews service Foursquare recently announced its plans to split its mobile app in half as it introduces a new app called Swarm that will soon be the only place to check-in to locations using Foursquare’s service.

Foursquare will instead focus its main app on reviews and location discovery and plans to remove check-in functionality later this year. Check-ins, mayorships, location sharing, and other social features will instead be focused in Swarm going forward. It’s a big move in terms of risking App Store ranking and discoverability as well as branding, but Facebook has practiced a somewhat similar strategy by developing its messaging experience in Facebook Messenger rather than the primary Facebook app where the feature can also be found.

For its part, Foursquare has already announced a number of features users of the previous app have requested that will be available in Swarm including complete check-in history and neighborhood sharing.
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9/11 Memorial Museum app debuts on iPhone ahead of public opening on May 21st

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This week the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City recognized its completion ahead of its public opening on May 21st, and today an official 9/11 Memorial Museum app for iPhone and iPod touch has been made available.

The app’s purpose is to aid museum attendees and enhance the tour experience by turning your smartphone into a personal tour guide. The primary tour, Witnessing History, is narrated by actor Robert De Niro, who has supported the Museum’s effort alongside former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The tour consists of thirteen sections total, each accompanied with a 1-3 minute narration and transcript.
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Shazam app launches second-screen experience for 20k AMC, Regal, & Cinemark theatres

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NCM Media Networks, owners of the largest cinema network in the U.S., is about to roll out a new preshow program to its 20,000 theatres that will integrate with the Shazam iOS app for a unique second screen experience. That means all preview content played before films at the company’s Regal, AMC, and Cinemark theatres will now be recognized by the audio detection/discovery app and in return Shazam will display info, bonus content, and links to purchase content related to what’s on screen:

The new FirstLook show will also be Shazamable, giving advertisers a way to literally put a brand in the hands of moviegoers using mobile devices. Shazam is one of the world’s most popular apps that connects people to the world around them through their mobile device, and is now working with NCM exclusively as its U.S. cinema partner. This partnership will give its 120+ million users in the U.S. the fastest, easiest way to engage with the cinema pre-show experience. When a moviegoer Shazams content in NCM’s FirstLook, they will be able to identify, explore, purchase and share that content.

Shazam is also updating its iOS app today with a few notable new features including improved TV show recognition in the US:

Shazam is the fastest way to find out more about the show, the cast, and the music featured in the show. With today’s update, users will see a new look that makes it easier to get all the content they want around their favorite dramas, comedies, reality shows and more.  Shazam users can Shazam any show on the 160 channels that Shazam supports in the U.S…. Shazaming your favorite TV show is better than ever with a new result page and easier access to music from the show. You’ll also be able to see a full cast list, read about the show and catch up on all the latest celebrity gossip.

In addition, the updated Shazam app is testing out Facebook’s new Audience Network that will see “customised ad results in a native module within the Shazam results” for users with the Facebook app installed.

CARROT Fit updated with new workout module involving dragons and Justin Bieber

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Meatbags rejoice! Or, perhaps more accurately, cower in fear. CARROT, the “fun”-loving AI construct who just wants to hurt you in ways you can’t even imagine, has returned with a brand new CARROT Fit update.

In this update, you’ll find a new 7-minute workout module that’s just a little different from the rest. That’s because this one involves punching Justin Bieber in the face and performing a dragon mating dance, among other, equally-ridiculous activities.


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Facebook iOS app adds post previews & drafts, tests related content cards

Facebook-iOS-postFirst available for Android users, Facebook has just released an update to its iOS app that introduces the ability to create drafts of posts, preview posts before publishing and more.

With version 10.0, Facebook users can now create posts even when not connected to the internet or in airplane mode and save the drafts for posting later. As for previews of posts, Facebook notes that you can now “Review what your post will look like and choose whether to remove any suggested links before sharing what you’re reading, watching or listening to.”

The updated app also gets “Improvements to make News Feed load faster, especially on older phones and tablets.”

In addition to the updated Facebook iOS app, TechCrunch reports that Facebook is currently testing Google Now-like related info cards with a select group of users. The cards (pictured below) would be presented to users after posting (pictured below). Facebook described the feature:

“These cards can help you discover information about where you are or what to do next, or inspire conversations with your friends around you.  This feature respects all existing privacy settings, and the card will only show you information that you could already see elsewhere on Facebook. We wanted to make it easier for you to interact with your friends about the things you’re doing and the places you are visiting.”

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The updated Facebook app for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store now.

Coda 2.5 won’t be coming to the Mac App Store, but there’s no need to panic

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Mac and iOS development team Panic announced today in a company blog post that the next major version of its Coda web development tool would not be coming to the Mac App Store. The reason? App Store apps need to be sandboxed (a security feature in OS X that doesn’t let apps modify data outside of their designated “sandboxes”), and Coda 2.5 simply doesn’t work as a sandboxed app.

According to Panic, Apple worked with the developers as much as possible to provide temporary exemptions and workarounds that could help alleviate some of the issues encoutered, but ultimately the decision was made to only release the update through the Panic website.


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Flappy Bird will return to App Store in August w/ multiplayer, won’t be as fun

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After removing the hit iOS game Flappy Bird from the App Store back in February, the developer confirmed today that the game will make a return in August.

Developer Dong Nguygen confirmed the return date today to CNBC’s Kelly Evans and also claimed that the game would be less addictive, which was originally the main reason he cited for removing the app earlier this year. In addition, the game will also apparently include a multiplayer when making its return to the store.

At its most popular, the original Flappy Bird game was reportedly making as much as $50,000 a day revenue. It didn’t take long for other developers to make clones of the game in order to capitalize on the game’s popularity and many of them remain in the App Store’s top charts for gaming.

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Logic Pro X updated with improvements for 12-core Mac Pros, bug fixes, and more

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Logic Pro X has been updated today with a number of bug fixes and improvements. First on the list of changes is better support for 12-core Mac Pros, which can now utilize up to 24 threads at once. Fixes to step sequencer issues when using Low Latency Mode and alignment guides have been implemented, and several XML import and export bugs have been taken care of.

A few extra enhancements also appear in this update: You can now copy automation data and paste it to any location using the Marquee tool; MIDI devices with volume and pan controls can now be set to control the software instrument rather than the channel strip the instrument is recorded on; and volume, pan, and effect send values can now be inserted into the automation track at the current playhead position.

There are also upgrades to the app’s accessiblity features. You can grab the update for free if you already own Logic Pro X. The app is $199.99 for new users on the App Store.

What’s New in Version 10.0.7

• Now supports 24 processing threads on 12-core Mac Pro models
• The current volume, pan, and send values for all selected tracks can now be inserted at the playhead position
• Enabling Low Latency Mode no longer creates sync issues for Drummer, Ultrabeat, Native Instruments Machine and other plug-ins with integrated step sequencers
• Automation can now be copied and pasted to any location using the Marquee tool
• Adds an option for MIDI volume and pan data to control the instrument plug-in instead of the channel strip
• Resolves several snap and alignment guide issues
• Various fixes that improve XML import and export with Final Cut Pro X
• Contains multiple enhancements to Accessibility

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Google Search for iOS 4.0 adds new voice search options, more relevant results, and more

Google has updated its iOS search app to version 4.0, which introduces a variety of new and useful changes. The app now recognizes new voice search cues and conversational input similar to the way Siri works. For example, Google says you can ask the app “What’s the weather like?” and follow up with “How about this weekend?” to get results relevant to the weekend rather than the current day.

The app will now also alert you when you new articles on certain topics appear. The feature is powered by Google Now, which learns your favorite authors, blogs, and more to provide you with customized alerts.

Finally, a few other changes to the app include faster loading, cricket sports data for Google Now, and an updated images search page.

Google Search is available for free on the App Store. The full change log is below:

What’s New in Version 4.0.0

With today’s update, you can ask questions with your voice & get updates on topics you care about.

Have a smarter conversation with Google:
• Tap the microphone or say “Ok Google” to start
• Ask questions such as “What’s the weather like?”
• Then follow up with “How about this weekend?”

At Google, we know the web well. With Google Now, we’ll tell you when there’s an interesting article for:
• Your favorite topics
• Your upcoming trips
• Your favorite authors and blogs

Smaller updates include:
• Cricket sports cards in Google Now
• Faster loading of Google Search and Google Now
• More beautiful and fluid image results

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Review all types of 3D files with this free new Autodesk app for iOS and Mac

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Today Autodesk launched FBX Review for Apple Mac OS X and iOS 7. The free standalone app gives professional artists and animators a powerful, lightweight tool to conduct detailed reviews of a wide range of 3D assets, including detailed 3D models, environments and character animations.

Now artists on the Windows or Apple platforms can use FBX Review to view 3D assets with a full feature set, without using commercial 3D animation software. An artist working in Autodesk 3ds Max can send an animation file to anyone who has installed FBX Review, and the recipient will have a full menu of features with which to view the assets.

New features coming to the Apple platforms are:

  • Support for ZIP files: makes asset review easier by supporting ZIP files containing both geometry and texture files. When opening the ZIP fileFBX Review automatically assigns the textures, helping to streamline the review process by eliminating the need to bake textures.
  • Geometry cache support: supports geometry cache playback, including Maya cache, 3ds Max cache, and the Alembic cache format. Geometry cache support is available only on desktop versions of FBX Review.
  • Re-focus perspective camera: FX Review now supports changing the focus of the perspective camera by double tapping (mobile) or double-clicking (desktop) on the desired area of focus.

To download FBX Review for iOS, visit: http://autode.sk/1qzHAFX  and for Mac OS X: http://autode.sk/1spZtmp 

For a complete list of FBX Review features, visit: http://area.autodesk.com/products/features/fbx

Sonos releases redesigned iPhone & iPad apps w/ universal search & more

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First launched a couple months back as a beta for Android users, Sonos today announced that its redesigned mobile app for iPhone and iPad users is now available. On top of a streamlined interface with a darker color palette (pictured above), the app also introduces a new universal search feature and much more:
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Twitter officially rolling out ‘mute’ function to its mobile and web apps, enhances iPad app

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<a href="https://twitter.com/missambear/status/461870350301941760">Images from @missambear</a>

After a limited test period, Twitter has officially begun rolling out mute functionality to its iOS, Android, and Web applications. The mute feature allows users to block out Tweets and Retweets from individual people in their timelines without actually unfollowing those users.

In the same way you can turn on device notifications so you never miss a Tweet from your favorite users, you can now mute users you’d like to hear from less. Muting a user on Twitter means their Tweets and Retweets will no longer be visible in your home timeline, and you will no longer receive push or SMS notifications from that user. The muted user will still be able to fave, reply to, and retweet your Tweets; you just won’t see any of that activity in your timeline. The muted user will not know that you’ve muted them, and of course you can unmute at any time. To mute a user from a Tweet on your iOS or Android device or on Twitter for web tap more and then mute @username. To mute someone from their profile page, tap the gear icon on the page and choose mute @username.

It appears the feature is rolling out over-the-air, so an update from the App Store or Google Play is unlikely to be required at this time. The feature will roll out to all users over the coming weeks, according to Twitter.

In other Twitter news, the social network has brought some new features to the iPad:

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Square pulls its mobile payment app Wallet, focuses on SF and NYC with new Order app

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Out with the old and in with the new. That’s how Square is starting the week as it pulls one app from the App Store and replaces it with another. Square Wallet, the commerce company’s not-so-popular mobile payment app, is no longer available on the App Store as the company begins to promote its new mobile payment app called Square Order.

Although Square Wallet boasted support for “thousands of neighborhood businesses” including a deal with Starbucks, it never really felt like its presence was really promoted nor was it more convenient than traditional payment methods. In the case of Starbucks, its support came after the coffee company’s own smartphone app included mobile payments including support for Apple’s Passbook system…
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