iOS

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Apple asking Indian government to relax FDI regulations to allow Apple Stores

Benjamin Mayo Feb 28 2014 - 3:59 am PT

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Apple is attempting to open its own stores in India, as reported by the Business Standard. However, India has regulations that require companies to source 30% of its components from Indian companies. Apple is requesting that this restriction be relaxed so that it can set up stores legally…

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• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• App Store
• Google

Google Hangouts for iOS updated with iOS 7 design, iPad optimization, more

Chance Miller Feb 27 2014 - 3:29 pm PT

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After a wave of updates for its Android apps yesterday, Google has just announced an update to its Hangouts for iOS app. The update brings the app version number 2.0.0 and is the first update for the app since all the way back in November.

The update adds a plethora of features and design tweaks, most notably of which is an iOS 7 optimized interface. There are aren’t a ton of changes, but everything definitely has the iOS 7 look and feel to it.Menus and buttons are now totally “flat” and much cleaner overall. The iPad app has also gotten some major tweaks, including picture-in-picture video calling. The app also now supports the ability to send video messages up to 10 seconds long, ala Snapchat.

The full changelog is below:

• Fully-optimized for the iPad, including picture-in-picture video calling
• Animated stickers that help you share exactly how you’re feeling
• Record and send video messages up to 10 seconds long
• Send a map of your current location

The update is live on the App Store now.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• Amazon
• Android
• Music

Amazon in talks w/ labels for new music streaming service as Pandora hits 250m users

Jordan Kahn Feb 27 2014 - 2:17 pm PT

2 Comments

Two pieces of news out today related to the music streaming biz: Recode is reporting that Amazon is talking to music labels about a music streaming service that could be bundled with Prime subscriptions, while Pandora has announced it has grown to 250 million users in the US.

If Amazon is able to make deals with the music labels, Recode speculates that it could offer music streaming through its Prime subscriptions which currently only offers movies and TV shows as well as free two-day shipping for $79/ year. The report notes, however, that Amazon is running into some roadblocks with cutting deals:

Which doesn’t mean it will: One label source reports that Amazon isn’t close to getting a deal done, because its executives are asking for a substantial discount on the pricing the labels have given to other services, like Spotify, Rhapsody and Beats… Still, label talks have been going on for the past few months, sources say.

As for Pandora, that’s up from around 200 million users back in April of last year and since the launch of one of its biggest new competitors, Apple’s iTunes Radio, in September. Pandora also noted that “Listeners have now created over six billion stations.” 
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• AAPL Company
• iOS
• Android
• iOS vs Android
• Android vs iOS

Google’s Sundar Pichai: Android not designed to be safe, would target Android too if he were making malware

Ben Lovejoy Feb 27 2014 - 7:48 am PT

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Image: pcmweb.nl

Responding to a question about malware on the Android platform, FrAndroid reports that Google’s Android head Sundar Pichai gave a surprisingly frank answer to an audience at Mobile World Congress.

We cannot guarantee that Android is designed to be safe, the format was designed to give more freedom. When people talk about 90% of malware for Android, they must of course take into account the fact that it is the most popular operating system in the world. If I had a company dedicated to malware, I would also be addressing my attacks on Android.

While there is certainly truth in the idea of attackers targeting the operating system with the largest market share, iOS market share of 17.6 percent is not a small target, especially given all the evidence that iPhone users represent a wealthier target for criminal malware.

Update: Google provided a direct transcript in which Pinchai isn’t self critical.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• iPhone
• App Store

NBA Game Time iOS apps updated with classic games & historical videos

Jordan Kahn Feb 26 2014 - 4:22 pm PT

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The NBA Game Time apps for iPhone and iPad were updated today with a new Class Games section that brings a collection of “carefully selected classic games and historical videos from past seasons.”

The new Classic Games section starts out with a selection of videos and more will be added in future updates during the 2014 season.

The new videos, like much of the app’s content, is available for free to Sprint users or those with a NBA Game Time Plus subscription or League Pass through their cable provider.

The update is available for the NBA Game Time 2013-2014 iPhone app as well as the NBA Game Time for iPad app.

What’s New in Version 5.2.3

Classic Games – Addition of carefully selected classic games and historical videos from past seasons. New videos will be added periodically throughout the season. These are available free for users who have purchased League Pass.

Additional bug fixes and enhancements.

• AAPL Company
• iOS
• Apple News
• Apple Books
• iTunes

Apple releases iTunes 11.1.5 w/ compatibility improvements & crash fix

Zac Hall Feb 26 2014 - 10:47 am PT

1 Comment

Apple has released today a minor update to iTunes on OS X with a fix for a nasty bug that could cause iTunes to crash. The update also includes compatibility improvements with iBooks, Apple says.

The software update follows yesterday’s release of the highly critical OS X 10.9.2 release which filled an existing SSL bug that left users vulnerable to malicious attackers. Apple also introduced FaceTime Audio calling and contact blocking which debuted on iOS 7 last fall.

The update should be rolling out to OS X users through the Mac App Store.

• AAPL Company
• iOS
• iOS Devices
• Apple News
• App Store

Security researchers highlight iOS flaw that enables hidden logging of touch events and other actions

Benjamin Mayo Feb 25 2014 - 1:59 am PT

5 Comments

Researchers at security firm FireEye are highlighting an exploit involving iOS’s multitasking architecture to enable a nefarious (or exploited) app to record user touch events, Home Button presses and other events even whilst the app is backgrounded. It has always been theoretically possible for apps to record touch events whilst foregrounded, as the app needs access to the touch input to respond to user events. However, FireEye are demonstrating that this is possible even when the iOS app is not frontmost.

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• iOS
• Fitbit
• investigation
• recall
• statement

Fitbit issues recall of Force fitness tracker and stops sales over skin irritation complaints

Jordan Kahn Feb 21 2014 - 11:37 am PT

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Fitbit, the company behind popular iPhone-connected fitness tracking wearable Fitbit Force, today announced a recall of the product due to complaints of skin irritation from users. Instead of the refund or replacement it was offering customers previously, it will now stop selling the Force and conduct a voluntary recall while it investigates the problem with medical experts. The company said in its statement today that only a small number of users have experienced the skin irritation and that “affected users are likely experiencing an allergic reaction to these materials.”

Fitbit also mentioned that it’s working on a “next-generation tracker and will announce news about it soon,” so it remains to be seen if Force will ever return. The full statement from Fitbit and more info on the recall is below (via TechCrunch):

We wanted to provide an update on our investigation into reports we have received about Force users experiencing skin irritation.

From the beginning, we’ve taken this matter very seriously. We hired independent labs and medical experts to conduct a thorough investigation, and have now learned enough to take further action. The materials used in Force are commonly found in many consumer products, and affected users are likely experiencing an allergic reaction to these materials.

While only a small percentage of Force users have reported any issue, we care about every one of our customers. We have stopped selling Force and are in the process of conducting a voluntary recall, out of an abundance of caution. We are also offering a refund directly to consumers for full retail price. We want to thank each and every member of the Fitbit community for their continued loyalty and support. We are working on our next-generation tracker and will announce news about it soon.

For additional information, please contact our support line at: 888-656-6381, or visit http://www.fitbit.com/forcesupport.

• iOS
• iOS Devices
• iPhone
• Apple News
• iPhone 5s

Review: iQi Mobile makes wireless charging a reality for iPhones, but is it worth the cost?

Benjamin Mayo Feb 21 2014 - 5:39 am PT

4 Comments

The iQi Mobile is an insert that enables wireless charging for the iPhone. At it’s core, it is a crowdfunded hack. It doesn’t have MFi certification and it looks like a branded DIY project. This is never going to be a mass-market accessory. There’s no need to beat around the bush — this is a geeky toy for people drawn in by the idea of wireless charging. But is it any good?

The iQi Mobile looks like a small matchbox-sized dog tag, with a Lightning connector on one end. The ribbon cable is bendy, but apparently it is a weak point. The accompanying warning notices clearly state that the cable will be damaged if it is bent completely 90° degrees.

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• iOS
• Google
• app
• Canada
• wifi

Google testing app that lets you automatically join WiFi hotspots, plans to roll out hotspots in US/Canada

Jordan Kahn Feb 20 2014 - 8:38 am PT

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Engadget reports that Google has been testing a new iOS and Android app at its Mountain View campus recently that would allow users to automatically join public WiFi hotspots without going through the usual log-in process. Google is apparently considering using the app in connection with its recently announced deal to provide WiFi to 7000 Starbucks locations in the US:

According to our sources, the search giant has built Android and iOS versions of an app that automatically authenticate and connect to its free hotspots inside Starbucks stores or wherever they are available. Google is currently trialling the Android app at its Mountain View HQ and has plans to offer an iOS app too.

Perhaps more interesting is Engadget’s claim that Google has “specific plans” to roll out more Google WiFi hotspots in the US and Canada as part of the ongoing “Google WiFi” effort it first launched in Mountain View back in 2006.

The report adds that the app could link to a user’s Google account and “install a dedicated security certificate on their device to automatically authenticate devices when a connection is available.” Engadget says an expanded partnership with Boingo is also a possibility:

Google may also expand its partnership with Boingo, extending logins to locations where it’s footing the bill for free wireless.

Google plans to have its WiFi rolled out at all 7000 Starbucks locations by the end of the year.

(image via ABC)