by MacNN Staff
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
Feathers Grizzled Veteran Joined: Oct 09, 1999
High-larious!
Sprint have clearly missed the points at issue in these disputes.
The position that they have adopted is akin to a fence complaining about a clamp-down on house-breaking!
Maybe the carriers should conduct due diligence on the phones before they decide to sell what might be a product using stolen technology!
iphonerulez Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Nov 28, 2008
Apple is going to get totally screwed by the courts. I'm sure no more bans will be allowed for Android devices. Steve Jobs "going thermonuclear" is going to end up as "fluffy pillow fight".
lamewing Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Aug 04, 2004
Agreed. Apple is simply trying to take advantage of the patents that they shouldn't have been given in the first place. Unified Search? Really? Didn't Google Desktop allow for a unified search years ago? According to a simple Google search, there are tons of unified search options on the web via programs. I don't see Apple suing all these people. So obviously, this isn't about intellectual property, but instead about finding any way to stifle the competition. I have used an iPhone for 3 years now, but the constant litigation from Apple has made me reconsider if I really want to support them any more. All of that money that is being paid to lawyers could have been used for innovation or simply given to charities.
makemineamac Junior Member Joined: Mar 07, 2008
Your knowledge of history is sorely lacking. Big surprise.
Even a bit of basic research would inform you that the reason for the ban is that unified search in this form was patented by Apple before Google Desktop was released months later back in 2004.
If you have a Mac and you enjoy Spotlight, which was also announced in 2004, it was one of the features that came from this patent. Others, as usual, may try to 'ape' it, but Spotlight is the real thing and not a copy and they are entitled to prevent others from using their patented concepts.
SockRolid Forum Regular Joined: Jan 21, 2010
Crocodile tears. At best. The carriers only care about two things: selling big-minute voice plans and selling expensive data plans. (Well, OK, maybe there's a third thing they care about: selling insanely expensive SMS-es.)
And.reg The Mighty Joined: Feb 22, 2004
Greetings. I am unable to delete my posts, and apparently you moderators are on some kind of a strike.
Therefore, I have removed the content of the original post by hand.
I am asking for this post to be deleted, since I don't seem to have the option to do that myself.