Apple has updated its iOS mass-deployment configuration and management tool, Configurator, to version 1.3. The free app works with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices, and now offers "significantly improved" reliability, scalability and performance, the ability to cancel scheduled or even in-progress operations, and more. There is a new status view that includes time estimates and error information with recovery suggestions, and administrators can now install apps on devices configured to not allow users to install apps.
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Apple has posted twin Java updates for OS X, Java for OS X 2013-004 and Mac OS X v10.6 Update 16. Both deal with security, stability, and compatibility flaws. The first is targeted at Lion and Mountain Lion users, while the second is for Snow Leopard only.
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Soundfreaq has announced the Sound Step Lightning, a new speaker dock. The unit takes its name from a Lightning port compatible with the latest generation of Apple mobile devices. Significantly, though, it also accepts input via Bluetooth, a stereo cable source, or 30-pin Apple devices connected through USB. The USB port can charge any connected device. Playback is controlled with capacitive touch buttons, an IR remote, or connected hardware.
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3 hours ago | Posted in: gaming
Digital games distributor Good Old Games (GOG) has added System Shock 2, called one of the most influential games in history to its cross-platform library. In addition to the seminal first-person shooter, the company has also added 10 more titles to its library for the Macintosh, and has made dungeon crawler Torchlight free until 12:59 GMT on June 20 to kick off its summer sale, with daily deals of up to 85 percent off.
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Peripheral maker iHome has announced three new FM radio alarm docks, all equipped with Lightning docks for later-generation Apple devices. The standard model is the iDL45, which also has a secondary USB port that can be used to play and charge older Apple devices with 30-pin connectors. Some other features include time sync, EQ controls, programmable snooze lengths, and dual alarms with custom day and time settings.
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Mac Elite "FireWire" is trying to figure out why their iMac keeps shutting off when the CPU temp reaches 50°C in the thread titled "iMac doesn't adjust fan speed, and dies." Forum goers help "Laminar" troubleshoot a problem in which Time Machine doesn't see their most recent backups.
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6 hours ago | Posted in: iPod, Apple, iPad
Currently at Apple's online store save on refurbished iPads, iPods and Apple TV. The iPad mini with 16GB of storage space, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and dual-core A5 chip is now $279 after a $50 discount. A $170 discount is offered on the refurbished iPad with 16GB of storage, Wi-Fi and Cellular with Verizon, it is now only $409.
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Currently Newegg.com has the QNAP high performance 6-bay NAS server for the reduced price of $851.99. That's $78 off the list price of $929.99, and until June 30th, use coupon code 'QNAPNAS030' at checkout to drop the price further to $751.99 with free delivery. That's the best deal we've seen by $77. The QNAP NAS system features a 2.13GHz Intel Atom dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, six SATA ports, two eSATA ports, two USB 3.0 ports, five USB 2.0 ports and two Gigabit Ethernet ports. A one year warranty on parts and labor is included from QNAP.
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6 hours ago | Posted in: software
Flexibits has released Chatology, a new Mac app for users of Messages or iChat. The app is designed to search through chat session content more efficiently than Apple's own tools allow. This includes faster search retrieval, and options to narrow searches to a specific time range. Images and links in conversations are automatically filtered into their own tabs for easier access.
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7 hours ago | Posted in: iPod, iPhone, iPad
Tweaking the iOS 7 beta reveals hidden settings that hint at Apple plans and/or concepts for the firmware, reports say. These include OS-wide edge- and corner-swipe gestures, which would come on top of edge-swipe commands in apps like Safari and Messages. The edge gestures would reportedly be used for quick app switching.
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After only two weeks, Goji has managed to raise more than $100,000 towards the production of its Smart Lock. The Goji Smart Lock is an automatic deadbolt that can be unlocked wirelessly with a Bluetooth-enabled device. On top of basic locking and unlocking functionality, the Goji also includes several tools for monitoring who has access to a home. Every time the lock is activated the Goji Smart Lock snaps a picture and sends a real-time app and get notification to a designated mobile phone. The device also keeps a log of all activity related to the Smart Lock which can be reviewed at any time from the Goji Mobile App or through an online Goji account. Expected to begin shipping this December, the Goji Smart Lock will retail for $278 but can currently be purchased with a $235 pledge.
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A Japanese case maker, MGM Corp., has produced what news site Macotakara claims is a case for the rumored low-cost iPhone. Compared with an equally thin case for the iPhone 5, the new one is said to be 2mm thicker, and use rounded edges instead of flat ones. A rear cutout appears to leave enough space for a camera lens and a flash.
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9 hours ago | Posted in iOS apps
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Shazam Encore is a music tagging tool that can identify songs simply by listening to them. Version 6.1 introduces a new Shazam Pulse feature that can help users find new music, as well as various other device specific enhancements. The iPhone version includes a modified tab bar and smoother friend loading, while the iPad version offers improved stability in the Friends feed.
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AfterLight is a photography app that includes a number of filters and effects for editing images on iOS devices. The latest release is a minor update that adds a new button to the home page. This button will lead users to the company's new store where they are selling AfterLight t-shirts with all profits going to charity.
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Tweetbot is a Twitter client that includes multiple timelines, smart gestures, and support for a number of other social services such as Instapaper and CloudApp. Timeline position, direct message read statuses and mute filters are also synced automatically between the iPhone and iPad via iCloud. The v2.8.1 update resolves a number of bugs.
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Morning is an iPad app that has been designed to allow users to organize all of the information they need to start their day off. Within the app users can pick from an array of information modules that includes weather, reminders, commute time, news, calendar, news, and a clock. These items can than be organized any way to best suit the user, providing a quick overview of the day ahead.
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WordPress is a tool for managing a WordPress blog or site from an iOS device. The software includes tools for moderating comments, creating or editing posts, viewing stats, and uploading images or videos. Various bugs have been fixed in this update and overall performance has been improved.
9 hours ago | Posted in: iPod, iPhone, iPad
Apple has changed the way Siri responds to suicide references, users have discovered. Until this week, the system would simply display the locations of nearby mental health facilities. In the US Siri will now ask people if they want to talk to someone at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On an iPhone, Siri can also ask to dial directly.
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While Microsoft rules the desktop browser space with IE, mobile analytics continually show that Apple dominates mobile browser usage with Safari. Like every other pre-installed app in the iOS 7 beta, Apple has given it a complete revision. It still feels familiar, but bears an all-new design and works a little differently to the way it does in iOS 6. Do the changes add or detract from what is the most popular mobile browser on the market?
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Adobe has formally released the full Adobe Creative Cloud software, marking the next generation of its venerable Creative Suite and officially making its subscription-based, cloud-authorized software the default option going forward. Although the company will continue to sell copies of Adobe CS6 -- which features a traditional "perpetual" license -- for the time being, the new "Adobe CC" package features a number of enhancements to each of the programs within that are not available to non-Creative Cloud subscribers.
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Though not explicitly mentioned during the Worldwide Developer's Conference keynote, the Apple TV will also be receiving an update to its differently-numbered iOS software in the near future -- one that supports iTunes Radio and offers a few minor new features. The first beta, which is referred to as iOS 5.4 (notably skipping 5.3 entirely), doesn't yet make any severe design changes but does add support for the forthcoming iTunes Radio, allowing developers a chance to test the service.
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