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
vasic Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: May 23, 2005
Well, since the events have transpired the way they did, Adobe might want to think about how to deal with the situation again. It just might be better for business to just go with it and declare CS2 free for everyone. As it is four versions behind, they would likely be losing very little money on the free version (to those who would have otherwise been compelled to buy the most recent version, or a specific product from the suite, such as Photoshop, or Dreamweaver). Feature-wise, CS2 is noticeably behind CS6, and it just might be the platform to generate new users, who would eventually graduate to the current, paid version.
There are three kind of users out there: professionals, who always buy new applications when the budget allows them; those who just don't have that kind of money for that kind of application, and will never buy it, but would use the free version; and those who never used the application, so they can't justify the expense for a new unfamiliar tool, but would be able, under certain circumstances, convince themselves to purchase the tool if they knew how to use it. This last group can be brought in by offering a fully-functional free suite that is several versions behind.
Now that cat is out of the bag, they may as well turn this to their advantage.
pottymouth Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Nov 19, 2003
Originally Posted by NewsPoster
...The CS2 software, which can run on some models of Mac and PC, is now four versions out of date but is still functional for some users...
It's actually 5 versions out of date. 5.5 was a pay-for upgrade.
pottymouth Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Nov 19, 2003
Originally Posted by vasic
There are three kind of users out there: professionals, who always buy new applications when the budget allows them; those who just don't have that kind of money for that kind of application, and will never buy it, but would use the free version; and those who never used the application, so they can't justify the expense for a new unfamiliar tool, but would be able, under certain circumstances, convince themselves to purchase the tool if they knew how to use it. This last group can be brought in by offering a fully-functional free suite that is several versions behind.
Speaking of unserved markets...
I'm in a 4th group: Those that work with a wide range of clients using a wide range of software. I need to own every single version that my clients might use, but how many licenses? I might need just one license for one job, but a dozen more for the next job. My clients were exclusively using CS3 and CS5 for so long, when I eventually got a couple CS4 and CS5.5 jobs dropped on me I had to buy that software from 3rd party vendors, and sometimes that shit ain't easy to find! Disk images, cracks, and pirated serial numbers are everywhere, but that just doesn't fly. I had no problem finding old disks that I was able to install as demos, and I was fully willing to pay multiple thousands of dollars for a half dozen strings of 24 digits, but did they want my money? Apparently not. I talked to several people at different levels at Adobe and they all seemed shocked (and even insulted) that anybody might have any reason to purchase anything but the newest and shiniest, untested, and widely unused version on the shelves. :hmm: