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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

msuper69 Professional Poster Joined: Jan 16, 2000
I'm afraid this purchase might turn out to be a 3 billion dollar mistake. This dope's stupid comment doesn't help.
pairof9s Senior User Joined: Jan 03, 2008
I agree, msuper69...a lot of headaches are going to come for the sake of not having to start up a home brewed subscription service. My guess is that Dre will be gone in 12 months and Iovine within 2 years.
pottymouth Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Nov 19, 2003
First thought: maybe Apple will be able to add some actual quality to back up the Beats brand name.
Second thought: why bother? Beats have always been garbage and they still sell like hotcakes.
The streaming branding is where the real money is at. An Apple/Beats partnership there is a win, even if the Beats service has been relatively unsuccessful so far.
robttwo Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Nov 15, 2005
Apple just got conned.
Hard to imagine Jobs doing this — he would have just developed a better solution to WHATEVER THE HELL they are trying to do with this acquisition.
coffeetime Grizzled Veteran Joined: Nov 15, 2006
How I see it is Apple does not need to waste $3 billion on Beats. Apple is a capable company from the beginning and it can produces quality products from its own lab. The key is hiring talent people, not buying Beats. To me buying Beats = Apple's lack of self-confident in creativity.
coffeetime Grizzled Veteran Joined: Nov 15, 2006
Unfortunately Cook does not have the vision Jobs has to challenge workers going to the next level in creativity. Cook has the money to buy visions that other companies created. The same goes with Microsoft's CEOs.
iBricking.com Junior Member Joined: Dec 18, 2007
I'm sure we all remember a time when Apple executives routinely badmouthed Intel processors, in private (email exchanges, etc.), in public (keynote addresses, etc.), and in advertisements ("burn, baby, burn," etc.). Then Apple signed a deal to use Intel chips exclusively in the entire Macintosh line.
They'll get over these EarPod comments.
bobolicious Mac Enthusiast Joined: Aug 15, 2002
...it will be interesting to see if streaming is widely introduced how it might help the artists creating content, which Apple has valued in the past. One reason Bandcamp has become such a success due to dwindling artist compensation as a result of streaming services. If Apple streaming accelerates migration away from the Apple ecosystem could it actually hurt the company...?
Mr. Strat Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Jan 23, 2002
Like these two music experts would know what real music is supposed to sound like
Gazoobee Forum Regular Joined: Feb 27, 2009
So much hate ... (and thinly disguised racism) on this thread.
Thanks to the author for saying this out loud. I get so tired of the endless "Apple's earbuds suck" comments even though they are demonstrably very good actually. It seems like it didn't work to change anyone's perception however, as half the comments above me are some form of "Beats suck because they are base-y and I don't listen to that kind of music," or "Apple's earbuds always suck" kind of stuff.
I'm always fascinated by the inability of the human animal to detect when it's beliefs are subjective, and when they are actually based on some sort of facts or science. Knee-jerk subjective comments are the rule of the day in the "age of idiots" I suppose.