1 hour ago | Posted in: Apple, iPad
The A8X chip in the iPad Air 2 uses a semi-custom graphics component, a new report illustrates. Apple has typically used off-the-shelf GPUs from PowerVR creators Imagination Technologies. In the case of the A8X, though, Apple has combined a pair of Imagination's quad-core GX6450s.
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2 hours ago | Posted in: iPhone, iPad
Walmart will be including Apple products in three different US Black Friday sales "events," the retailer has announced. The first event, actually scheduled for November 27th at 6PM local time, will include a 16GB non-Retina Wi-Fi iPad mini for $199, bundled with a $30 gift card. People also be able to buy a set of Beats Wireless headphones for $149, $130 below normal.
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Global Delight has released the beta version of its re-engineered audio boosting app, Boom. (You can check out our review of Boom from last month here.) Boom 2 introduces an ability to adapt and adjust to accommodate the type of Mac being used, attempting to intuit a suitable volume output depending on the device. Support for 64-bit architecture is included, and users can switch between 10 band and advanced equalizer controls. Depending on the audio file, Boom 2 can recommend the type of 'boosting' to apply for best optimization. Those interested in trying out the Boom 2's beta version can subscribe online.
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Apple-owned Beats has announced the Solo2 Wireless, a new pair of over-the-ear headphones. The unit is based on the original Solo2 headphones released earlier this year, but sports Bluetooth for pairing with devices up to 30 feet away. Buttons on the ear cups let users control volume and playback, and even answer phone calls.
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4 hours ago | Posted in iOS apps

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1Password is a password management app that allows users to store and organize multiple passwords. A built-in password generator can also be used to create unique passwords for every site. The latest release resolves a case where sync would not behave as expected, while still appearing to be enabled. Saving a new secure note will also no longer result in getting stuck at that secure note, and the top crash error from the previous release has been fixed.
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Transmit for iOS allows users to connect to any of their FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, or Amazon S3 servers. Once connected a number of functions can be performed, including transferring files, creating folders, setting permissions, and more. Version 1.1 now lets users their own server icons from a set of images designed to match those in Transmit for Mac. A new batch renaming feature has also been added, along with a range of bug fixes and other small improvements.
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In Monument Valley players must guide a silent princess through a number of impossible architecture structures. Each level has been inspired by minimalist 3D design, optical illusions, and palaces from around the world. The v2.0 update introduces several new chapters for players to work through.
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Money is a financial tool that can help a user track various transactions and maintain a budget. The tool allows users to create multiple accounts allowing users to keep cash, credit, and debit transactions separate. Version 2.8 fixes a bug that occurred after relocating to Dropbox and back, along with some scheduler syncing issues on iOS 8. Additionally, a problem with the Transaction Over Period report in CSV has been resolved.
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Plants vs. Zombies 2 is a spin on tower defence style games where players must defend their home from invading zombies. The latest releases introduces Big Wave Beach Part 2, complete with 16 brand new levels to tackle. Also featured in the update are three new plants, three new zombies, and a special-edition Sweet Potato pant.
4 hours ago | Posted in: Apple
Apple has leased a major portion of the Broadway Trade Center in downtown Los Angeles, a new rumor claims. The building measures 1.1 million square feet, and currently has several shops on the ground floor and a manufacturer above. Apple has allegedly signed a lease for "several hundred thousand" square feet; the rumor, from an anonymous source, further suggests that Apple may turn the building into miniature campus with offices, residences, and an Apple Store. A portion of the campus might even been dedicated to selling Beats products.
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STM has announced its Flip wallet case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Utilising two micro-suction cups, the front cover attaches to the phone's screen, and also features two card slots. Foldable, the Flip case can act as a stand for propping the phone up for a viewing position. Available in charcoal, black and red, the Flip Folio can be purchased for $35 through Radtech.
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Apple has expanded its Device Enrollment Program to support devices bought through authorized resellers and carriers, and to cover a total of 26 regions. The DEP simplifies centralized setup and management of iOS and OS X devices, something critical for mass deployments. Businesses and schools can setup administrative accounts and management servers, and even have user profiles and configurations ready the moment someone activates their device.
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Speaking before a series of Silicon Valley company representatives, US Federal Communications Chairman Tom Wheeler has refuted President Obama's call for Title II legislation of cable companies and strict net neutrality. The chairman, when asked about the President's declaration, was reminding people that the FCC doesn't answer to the president, with the statement that "I am an independent agency."
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Newcomer roguelike dungeon-defense game, Dungeon of the Endless by Amplitude Studios, was released to Steam in late October. Promising to be a challenging game, we took a look at it to see what it really had to offer. Like most roguelikes, Dungeon of the Endless is a pretty difficult game. Players are essentially told just enough to get them started, and then left to figure out the rest on their own. The whole situation mostly revolves around playing, dying, reworking the strategy, playing again, and probably dying again. That doesn't mean that the game isn't any fun -- there's something to be said for a game that makes a player work for the victory.
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Adidas is letting US sneaker enthusiasts customize a pair of shoes with a mobile app, something it has offered in Europe for a few months already. Pocket-Lint reports the Photo Print app for Android and iOS can take an image from the user's smartphone and apply it to a pair of ZX Flux sneakers. The custom shoes take between four and six weeks to ship, priced at $110.
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Financial analyst Steve Milunovich from UBS has raised that firm's target price on Apple stock by $10, to $125, based on a survey showing strong demand for the iPhone 6 Plus in China and other countries. Polling some 4,000 respondents across the US, UK, Italy and mainland China, Milunovich found strong demand for the larger, 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus in all the countries, but particularly in China. The 64GB model appeared to be the most popular choice among potential buyers, which included a third who are current Samsung phone owners.
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Apple's stock closed at a new "all-time" high today, settling at $109.70 per share after an intra-day high of $109.75 -- breaking the record set just over a week ago. The company, now valued at $643.37 billion -- more than a third more than the next most valuable publicly-traded company -- may be within sight of besting its own split- and buyback-adjusted all-time high and market capitalization records, which would currently be around $113.86 per share and $667.77 billion, respectively.
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The "doorbuster" deals for Best Buy's Black Friday event have been published, and reveal that the chain will offer discounts on various Apple products, among other items. Of particular interest is a $100 discount on all models of the new iPad Air 2, reducing the entry-level model's price to just $400 but also applying to all other capacities, including the Wi-Fi + Cellular models. Macs, iPods, iTunes gift cards and even Beats headphones will also see discounts.
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20 hours ago | Posted in: industry
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) won't be holding a vote on net neutrality during its December meeting, as the agency says it needs more time to consider the options. The announcement comes only a day after US President Barack Obama offered the FCC support to reclassify broadband and other wireless Internet services under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.
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This week at Apple's online store find low prices on refurbished Mac models starting as low as $769. The refurbished 11.6-inch MacBook Air with a 1.4GHz Intel dual-core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of PCIe-based flash storage has been dropped by $130 to $769. Priced at $799, after a $150 discount, is the refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air with a 1.3GHz Intel dual-core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of flash storage.
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This week at Newegg.com get a great deal on a bundle that includes a 28-inch Acer widescreen LED backlight LCD monitor and a Canon ImageClass MF3010 monochrome laser printer. These items carry a retail cost of $700, but are only $400 when purchased in this bundle. That's a savings of more than $150 over buying these items individually anywhere else.
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