The recently-released Apple TV 6.1 update that arrived on Monday has an undocumented new feature that allows AirPlay sessions to be initiated using Bluetooth rather than Bonjour, a change that should make Apple TV units friendlier to complex networks such as those found in institutional and enterprise environments. The system can still scan using Bonjour as well, but will work with Bluetooth if the initiating devices are running iOS 7.1.
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United Airlines will be rolling out a new inflight entertainment service that offers over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows on-demand to passengers beginning in April, at no cost -- if they have an iOS device like an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. The free entertainment will be made available through the airlines' own iOS app, which can be downloaded for free while in-flight if needed.
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[Update: attack over] Users around the world -- particularly those who rely on Google DNS or Speakeasy to provide their DNS connections -- were seeing some (but not all) of Apple's websites blocked. In particular, the attack seems focused on Apple.com and iTunes, with other services such as iMessage and Game Center seemingly unaffected. The attack is now over, but it remains unclear if Google DNS was the source of the issue or just the first to propagate the bad DNS entries.
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In an unusual move, Apple has greatly expanded its call for specialists and engineers connected to camera, lens, sensor and other aspects of digital imaging in recent job postings. The iPhone maker has added 15 want ads related to camera and digital imaging over the past two weeks, joining nine other listings posted last month. Camera technology has been a major selling point in Apple's mobile devices but is also a key part of its desktop and notebook offerings.
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11 hours ago | Posted in: software
Google's Wallet app, available for iOS and Android devices, has received an update today. The new inclusion of its Orders feature allows users to track active online orders, as well as access past transaction history information in one centralized location. Once Orders is activated within Google Wallet, users can view any receipts sent to their Gmail account within the app.
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13 hours ago | Posted in: iPhone
Pioneer is exploring the possibility of adding CarPlay support to its current and future aftermarket car add-ons, a customer service representative for the company says. Although the claim doesn't constitute an official announcement, and no specific products have been named, it may represent the first hint that CarPlay could reach vehicles that don't even have built-in dash displays. Mercedes-Benz has proposed retrofitting older models for Apple's technology, but that might still be limited to cars with integrated displays.
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GPS watch for children HereO has launched through an Indiegogo pre-ordering campaign. Designed for young children ages three years and up, the real-time GPS tracking device works in sync with the HereO family location app (available for iOS and Android) as to enable parents to know their children's whereabouts directly on their mobile phones. Family members using the app can share their locations with each other, check-in, send instant messages and view historical locations.
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iOS 7.1 includes a warning about the 15-minute, password-free window after an initial in-app purchase in iOS, notes AppleInsider. The pop-up appears the first time a user tries to make an in-app purchase after installing v7.1, and points people to Settings if they want to undo the window. Under Restrictions, iOS can be set to require a password for every purchase, or block all in-app transactions.
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15 hours ago | Posted in: gadgets, audio
The PonoPlayer, a music playback device backed by musician Neil Young, has doubled its target on Kickstarter shortly after starting its campaign. The high-fidelity player has so far raised over $1.6 million on the crowd-funding site, beating the $800,000 the campaign originally asked for within 24 hours of launching, with the pledging period set to continue for another 33 more days.
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15 hours ago | Posted in: security
Recently-examined Snowden-leaked documents have shown that the NSA is looking at significantly growing its ability to install malware on a large scale, using automated systems and falsified websites. The documents detail efforts to fake a Facebook server, with the targeted population infected upon visitation of the spoof site.
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Favi has announced its release of the Swivel Screen Portfolio case for iPad Air, featuring a detachable Bluetooth keyboard. Aiming to fill the gap between tablet and laptop usage, the portfolio case positions an iPad Air in a similar manner to a Macbook setup. Its Bluetooth keyboard holds an 80-hour charge if used continually, and includes scissor-switch keys, which allow for quiet and stable typing. Fully adjustable, the stand can rotate for comfortable viewing. Available in black, silver and gold, the Favi Swivel Screen Portfolio with keyboard is priced at $40.
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17 hours ago | Posted in: software
Microsoft is planning to launch a free version of OneNote for the Mac later this month as part of a plan to expand the functionality of the platform, sources say. The company currently has a paid version for Office for Windows, and free iOS, Android, and web apps, but has so far left OS X alone in the software's decade-plus history. Like the Mac version, the Windows title is also expected to become free.
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US District Judge Jeffrey White of the Northern District of California has upheld some claims made against Google in a privacy suit that accused the search engine of using apps installed on mobile phones to collect persoanl data. Allegedly, Google used data from Foursquare, Groupon, Angry Birds, and Pandora to farm location, device identification, and personal information without user's consent.
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US Cellular could be preparing to update its Shared Data plans, according to an allegedly-leaked memo. Dated to be announced tomorrow, the carrier is planning to add more data to existing plans as well as adding another lower tier of service, and introducing a promotional single-line price plan that will be available for a number of weeks before other subscription changes.
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Apple is testing the idea of moving iTunes Radio into a dedicated app for iOS 8, sources say. At the moment, iTunes Radio is just another option in iOS 7's Music app. This may be hurting its adoption, since third-party rivals like Pandora and Spotify are separate apps and hence more visible. As a distinct entity, iTunes Radio would likely still come pre-installed with iOS 8.
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18 hours ago | Posted in: industry
In a series of statements commemorating the 25th anniversary of the modern Internet, inventor Tim Berners-Lee asked a pointed question. In a post on Google's official blog, Berners-Lee wondered "are we going to continue on the road and just allow the governments to do more and more and more control -- more and more surveillance?" In response, the computer scientist wants to build a "Magna Carta," codifying the rights of Internet users, and limiting the ability of governments to interfere with the execution of a global network.
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