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
daqman Forum Regular Joined: Sep 15, 2000
In the words of the ancient French prophet "Screw 'em". Microsoft is another App developer treat them that way or the whole ecosystem collapses.
panjandrum Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Dec 01, 2004
Unfortunately Apple is currently in the process of proving that "power corrupts". As evil as Microsoft was/is, Apple is quickly demonstrating that they are indeed "better at everything" by becoming even more evil than Microsoft. Not just in this case, but in *every* case a 30% cut is just absurd. 30% for providing a platform-locked distribution system in which the distributor (Apple) has complete say over whether or not your app can even be sold. All of this spells trouble down-the-road for Apple. Those of us who have been around a while saw it all happen before, and unless Apple changes their ways it is going to happen all over again. They need to open things up and they need to stop asking for extortion-level fees.
apostle Forum Regular Joined: Apr 16, 2008
I can see not wanting to pay Apple a commision for customers who no longer access MS through iOS. However, I'd think MS would be more willing to make concessions at this point, given the companies growing irrelevance these past ten years under Ballmer. Sign a year by year contract. Fire Ballmer. Bring back Gates. Rebuild the company. Then MS will be in a better bargaining position.
Don108 Registered User Joined: Mar 25, 2010
If you buy a copy of Office in a store, the retailer generally gets 30%-50% of the price. Apple provides the storefront, publicity, order tracking and more for iOS software. 30% seems rather reasonable to any who actually understand retail business.
bjojade Junior Member Joined: Jun 07, 2007
Originally Posted by Don108
If you buy a copy of Office in a store, the retailer generally gets 30%-50% of the price. Apple provides the storefront, publicity, order tracking and more for iOS software. 30% seems rather reasonable to any who actually understand retail business.
I WISH retailers would get 30-50% of the sale. In reality, the margin that retailers get on software is closer to 15%, or even less. If you know of a legal way for me to get 50% profit on the sale of software, please let me know.
SierraDragon Mac Elite Joined: Mar 22, 2004
Originally Posted by panjandrum
Unfortunately Apple is currently in the process of proving that "power corrupts". ...but in *every* case a 30% cut is just absurd.
Obviously you have never developed anything. For folks making real, honest products the developer services Apple provides and the 30% fee is a spectacular bargain.
You say ...30% for providing a platform-locked distribution system in which the distributor (Apple) has complete say over whether or not your app can even be sold. as if it is a bad thing, but I say Apple provides predictable, safe environment to develop for; with SDKs, testing capability, etc. Real, honest developers do not see "platform-locked" as evil they see stability, predictability and opportunity; a good place for their apps to live. And Apple platform app marketing structure is hella worth 30% and more.
Unlike almost all other developers Microsoft may have less need for the services and structure Apple provides - - but I am not so sure about that. MS horrific OS code under Gates brought millions and millions of PCs to virus corruption. If I was Apple I would assume more resources need be applied to vetting MS app code, not less. [And please do not tell us Win virus issues were due to Win market share. Mac OS 9 had many viruses written for it, just like DOS/Win did. With OS X Macs have now had functionally zero virus problems.]
pairof9s Senior User Joined: Jan 03, 2008
Conceivably, giving Apple a 30 percent cut of Office 365 originating on iOS devices could result in Microsoft continuing to pay a yearly commission on those subscriptions to Apple, even if the customer purchasing the subscription no longer accessed the service from an iOS device.
Not sure how this is any different than me having a New York Times subscription that I continually renew in iTunes but never use my iPad to read the news. Seems to me, the determining factor of the fees should be the originating method of the subscription. If I started the O365 through an in-app purchase in iTunes, Apple is owed the fee; however, if I had or get the subscription somewhere else (and should have full access via my iOS O365 app), then Microsoft is due the full fee.
simdude Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Jun 01, 2004
Microsoft sells through many channels. Let's say the wholesale price of their mobile MS Word will be $15. Just jack up the price 30% on Apple's app store price to make the equivalent. Microsoft still gets the $15 they would get if selling a box version of software.
Spheric Harlot Clinically Insane Joined: Nov 07, 1999
Originally Posted by SierraDragon
Mac OS 9 had many viruses written for it, just like DOS/Win did.
Um.
Sixty viruses, at last count, for OS 9.
Vs. how many thousands of DOS/Win viruses until 2002 (when OS 9 was retired)?
Good post otherwise; I just take exception to this bit.
Spheric Harlot Clinically Insane Joined: Nov 07, 1999
Originally Posted by simdude
Microsoft sells through many channels. Let's say the wholesale price of their mobile MS Word will be $15. Just jack up the price 30% on Apple's app store price to make the equivalent. Microsoft still gets the $15 they would get if selling a box version of software.
Office itself will be free.
The point here is the Office 365 SUBSCRIPTION that will be required to edit anything.
Subscriptions aren't boxed products, and what happens when a subscription is automatically extended, rather than expiring and then re-subscribed?
If Microsoft wants subscriptions to auto-renew (which I'm sure they do — maintaining a large portion of their customer base through sheer laziness has been a big part of the subscription model forever), it means that people who subscribe through iOS may well thus be required to pay 30% extra in perpetuity, which I'm sure customers will not be too happy about.