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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






by MacNN Staff



Flying Meat Senior User Joined: Jan 25, 2007
I do understand the need to make some money from an effort, even if it's just to cover the expense of the service (...but you know. hopefully more), but I think these types of "feature adds" are generally/largely not that helpful to the user.
I'll admit, I have made great use of the service in the past, as it is generally the best place to shop around, and/or download the update and go.
Much like news and info sites, user want the news and info. Pop-up videos/ads (sound or not) that obscure content really diminish the value of previously useful sites.
I don't begrudge a site their sidebar or page bottom advertisements (definitely NO audio or insane flashies please). Heck, I don't even mind scrolling past a clearly marked block of advertising halfway through an article as long as they don't pop up something when my cursor invariable crosses over them.
Carrier Wave Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Jul 19, 2003
I've been a paid member of Macupdate since 2007. I appreciate the site for its ability to email me when my apps have been updated (or when they drop in price), and they periodically offer bundle deals at good prices. Also valuable is the user-powered lists of alternative/competitor apps for any given app - that's opened my eyes to a lot of apps I otherwise wouldn't have known about.
Once I had a problem with my Mac and when the Genius at the Apple Store decided to download the newest version of something (can't remember what) he went to the now-departed Versiontracker.com site. But the site stuttered and wouldn't let him download. I suggested Macupdate, which he hadn't heard of(!), and the site allowed for a fast download.
Although I have the option to use the Macupdate app to download apps I just never felt the need to use it.
panjandrum Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Dec 01, 2004
I had to uninstall malware a teacher installed by downloading from the previously safe MacUpdate and not realizing that the installer she received was not the actual installer. I've added MacUpdate to that school district's internet blacklist and emailed all my clients to stop using MacUpdate as a place to discover and download Mac software. Someone else will hopefully step-up as a safe place to find and review Mac software.
Mike Wuerthele Managing Editor Joined: Jul 19, 2012
Panjandrum, you realize that the problem is better solved by education, right? Your users possibly using out of date software may be more of a danger than periodically cleaning out a search-bar or whatnot.
panjandrum Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Dec 01, 2004
Or, you know, maybe MacUpdate could not add malware to their "custom" installers? The fact that they would do this, even as a "marketing test" dictates that they deserve to be blacklisted. Education only goes so far unless you are will to go all the way to "don't ever install anything." Anyone can, and will, make a mistake. The point being, MacUpdate was safe and trusted. They betrayed that trust. Point the blame at the people responsible for the problem, not the victim. They could have done any number of other things; they could have eliminated direct links except to paid subscribers. They could have disabled reviews except for paid subscribers. They could have prominently asked for a small donation when you initiated download (put one more step between the link on MacUpdate and the actual, legit, installer). They could have, but they didn't. Instead they did something everyone in the Mac community sees as being pretty much unforgivable. Sure, the Windows community is used to this, and has been used to this for years (decades really). Please don't defend companies trying to bring the Windows experience to the Mac platform.
Mike Wuerthele Managing Editor Joined: Jul 19, 2012
We wrote the piece in the first place, and most other venues are staying away, so take that as you will.
I'm not blaming the victim.
chefpastry Mac Enthusiast Joined: Nov 14, 2005
I'm with panjandrum here. MacUpdate is dead to me.