Mac App Store hits 1 million downloads in first day
That didn't take long.Apple's Mac App Store tallied 1 million downloads in its first day of availability, the company announced today."We're amazed at the incredible response the Mac App Store is getting," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement. "Developers have done a great job bringing apps to the store and users are loving how easy and fun the Mac App Store is."Apple launched its Mac App Store yesterday to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard users. It was made available in the free Mac OS X 10.6.6 software update. According to Apple, the store currently has over 1,000 free and paid apps in categories ranging from education to games.But the Mac App Store's first day didn't bring only good news for Apple.A reported Mac App Store hack being shared across the Web allows users to take digital receipts from free applications and use them on pirated copies of a paid app. The receipts effectively fool the paid app into believing use has been authorized, thus allowing users to run the programs and pay nothing for them. Apple has yet to comment on the problem.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Mac App Store gets special Lion-friendly app section
Mac App Store gets special Lion-friendly app section
Apple today quietly rolled out a new section in its Mac App Store that features applications that have been made to work with the latest version of its Mac OS X operating system.Dubbed "Apps enhanced for OS X Lion," the collection of 48 applications ranges from Apple's first-party software to third-party productivity tools and games. The vast majority are paid applications, as opposed to freebies. Apple released Lion in late July as an update to Snow Leopard, the previous version of Mac OS X. As part of the newer version of the system software that powers the company's Mac computers, Apple added additional support for multitouch gestures, auto-saving and resuming, along with full-screen capabilities. However, not all developers have gotten their apps ready to work with those new APIs. The new collection of apps represents the ones that do.
Apple today quietly rolled out a new section in its Mac App Store that features applications that have been made to work with the latest version of its Mac OS X operating system.Dubbed "Apps enhanced for OS X Lion," the collection of 48 applications ranges from Apple's first-party software to third-party productivity tools and games. The vast majority are paid applications, as opposed to freebies. Apple released Lion in late July as an update to Snow Leopard, the previous version of Mac OS X. As part of the newer version of the system software that powers the company's Mac computers, Apple added additional support for multitouch gestures, auto-saving and resuming, along with full-screen capabilities. However, not all developers have gotten their apps ready to work with those new APIs. The new collection of apps represents the ones that do.
M7 chip adds health-tracking capabilities to iPhone 5S
M7 chip adds health-tracking capabilities to iPhone 5S
Apple has unveiled a new processor for its iPhone 5S that will attempt to improve its handset's interaction with health and fitness apps.Unveiled on Tuesday by Apple's Phill Schiller, the M7 is what the company calls a "motion coprocessor." The coprocessorcontinuously measures motion data through the accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope, taking it away from Apple's standard A7 processor.Related stories:Apple's new announcements (pictures)Apple to release iOS 7 on Sept. 18Apple by the numbers: 700M iOS devices shippedApple launches iPhone 5CiPhone 5C First TakeA look at the iPhone 5C announcement (pictures)iPhone 5S First TakeApple takes wraps off high-end iPhone 5S (pictures)According to Schiller, the coprocessor will determine if a person is stationary, walking, or driving, and can be incorporated into health and fitness apps to analyze movement. Schiller also unveiled a new app, called Nike+ Move, that utilizes the coprocessor.Other than that, Apple has remained tight-lipped so far on exactly what the iPhone 5S' coprocessor might be used for. It's possible, Schiller says, more fitness and health apps will use it in the coming months.This is a developing story. Follow our CNET live blog, check out the latest on the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, and see all of today's Apple news.
Apple has unveiled a new processor for its iPhone 5S that will attempt to improve its handset's interaction with health and fitness apps.Unveiled on Tuesday by Apple's Phill Schiller, the M7 is what the company calls a "motion coprocessor." The coprocessorcontinuously measures motion data through the accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope, taking it away from Apple's standard A7 processor.Related stories:Apple's new announcements (pictures)Apple to release iOS 7 on Sept. 18Apple by the numbers: 700M iOS devices shippedApple launches iPhone 5CiPhone 5C First TakeA look at the iPhone 5C announcement (pictures)iPhone 5S First TakeApple takes wraps off high-end iPhone 5S (pictures)According to Schiller, the coprocessor will determine if a person is stationary, walking, or driving, and can be incorporated into health and fitness apps to analyze movement. Schiller also unveiled a new app, called Nike+ Move, that utilizes the coprocessor.Other than that, Apple has remained tight-lipped so far on exactly what the iPhone 5S' coprocessor might be used for. It's possible, Schiller says, more fitness and health apps will use it in the coming months.This is a developing story. Follow our CNET live blog, check out the latest on the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, and see all of today's Apple news.
LTE iPads arriving this week, reports say
LTE iPads arriving this week, reports say
Some fourth-generation iPad buyers may receive the LTE version of the device as soon as Friday, according to new reports. MacRumors and 9To5Mac are reporting that pre-orders of the cellular-enabled model iPad are now on their way to customers and should arrive at their homes this week. Related stories:iPad Mini LTE will ship by early next week, report saysiPad Mini with LTE arrives on Nov. 23, reports sayCNET's take on the fourth-gen iPadThe expected arrival date is largely in line with what Apple said when announcing the device last month. The Cupertino, Calif., electronics giant released the Wi-Fi-only version of the tablet on November 2, but the 4G LTE wireless model was slated to hit shelves a couple weeks later. The same was true for the iPad Mini, Apple's first smaller-screen tablet.There were other reports last week that the LTE version of the iPad Mini also would ship soon. Apple reportedly contacted buyers of the device to inform them that it would be shipping within the next few business days. Meanwhile, Apple's online store says the cellular model of the fourth-generation iPad will ship in seven business days while the Wi-Fi version is in stock. The iPad Mini, meanwhile, has a shipping estimate of two weeks for both the LTE and WiFi models. Fourth-gen iPad with Retina Display: Subtly...See full gallery1 - 4 / 7NextPrev
Some fourth-generation iPad buyers may receive the LTE version of the device as soon as Friday, according to new reports. MacRumors and 9To5Mac are reporting that pre-orders of the cellular-enabled model iPad are now on their way to customers and should arrive at their homes this week. Related stories:iPad Mini LTE will ship by early next week, report saysiPad Mini with LTE arrives on Nov. 23, reports sayCNET's take on the fourth-gen iPadThe expected arrival date is largely in line with what Apple said when announcing the device last month. The Cupertino, Calif., electronics giant released the Wi-Fi-only version of the tablet on November 2, but the 4G LTE wireless model was slated to hit shelves a couple weeks later. The same was true for the iPad Mini, Apple's first smaller-screen tablet.There were other reports last week that the LTE version of the iPad Mini also would ship soon. Apple reportedly contacted buyers of the device to inform them that it would be shipping within the next few business days. Meanwhile, Apple's online store says the cellular model of the fourth-generation iPad will ship in seven business days while the Wi-Fi version is in stock. The iPad Mini, meanwhile, has a shipping estimate of two weeks for both the LTE and WiFi models. Fourth-gen iPad with Retina Display: Subtly...See full gallery1 - 4 / 7NextPrev
Lion gets its first update with OS X 10.7.1
Lion gets its first update with OS X 10.7.1
Less than a month after releasing Lion, Apple's rolled out its first update. In a software update that went out this afternoon, the company released OS X 10.7.1, a download that fixes a handful of bugs left by the initial release. The full list includes:• Address an issue that may cause the system to become unresponsive when playing a video in Safari• Resolve an issue that may cause system audio to stop working when using HDMI or optical audio out• Improve the reliability of Wi-Fi connections• Resolve an issue that prevents transfer of your data, settings, and compatible applications to a new Mac running OS X Lion The software is being offered in two different versions: one for all users, and another for the new MacBook Air and Mac Mini. The one for those latter two machines fixes three additional problems:• Resolve an issue where MacBook Air may boot up when MagSafe Adapter is attached• Resolve an issue causing intermittent display flickering on MacBook Air• Resolve an issue that causes the SD card slot in Mac mini to run at reduced speed with SD and SDHC media Those looking for new features as part of OS X updates will have to wait a bit longer. That includes Mac OS X system integration with iCloud, Apple's upcoming cloud-based sync and hosting service which is due this fall. Developers got the latest beta of that, along with a test build of Mac OS X 10.7.2 last week.
Less than a month after releasing Lion, Apple's rolled out its first update. In a software update that went out this afternoon, the company released OS X 10.7.1, a download that fixes a handful of bugs left by the initial release. The full list includes:• Address an issue that may cause the system to become unresponsive when playing a video in Safari• Resolve an issue that may cause system audio to stop working when using HDMI or optical audio out• Improve the reliability of Wi-Fi connections• Resolve an issue that prevents transfer of your data, settings, and compatible applications to a new Mac running OS X Lion The software is being offered in two different versions: one for all users, and another for the new MacBook Air and Mac Mini. The one for those latter two machines fixes three additional problems:• Resolve an issue where MacBook Air may boot up when MagSafe Adapter is attached• Resolve an issue causing intermittent display flickering on MacBook Air• Resolve an issue that causes the SD card slot in Mac mini to run at reduced speed with SD and SDHC media Those looking for new features as part of OS X updates will have to wait a bit longer. That includes Mac OS X system integration with iCloud, Apple's upcoming cloud-based sync and hosting service which is due this fall. Developers got the latest beta of that, along with a test build of Mac OS X 10.7.2 last week.
Light leak, yellowing affecting some iPad 2 users
Light leak, yellowing affecting some iPad 2 users
Second-generation products tend to have most of the kinks worked out, though for some, the iPad 2 is exhibiting issues with the screen that have appeared in past Apple products.One of those issues is light leaking from around the bezel into the display. A handful of threads on Apple's support forums (1,2), as well as a poll of users on Engadget, have called it out, with some taking photos that show light spreading out from one or more of the iPad 2's four screen edges. These leaks do not appear as focused light, but rather a band that's the most intense at the edge, and dissipates as it goes inward (as you can see in the picure at the right).Another issue, as noted by MacRumors last night, is a patchy yellow discoloration, which may or may not be related to the light leaks. A similar issue affected some iPhone 4 owners shortly after the launch of that product, and was chalked up to the screen bonding agent from the phone's production still in the process of drying out.From the look of various support and community forums, neither of these issues is widespread, though with the iPad 2 going on sale just last night, it's too early to make that call. CNET has reached out to Apple about both issues to see if the gadget maker is providing any guidance.
Second-generation products tend to have most of the kinks worked out, though for some, the iPad 2 is exhibiting issues with the screen that have appeared in past Apple products.One of those issues is light leaking from around the bezel into the display. A handful of threads on Apple's support forums (1,2), as well as a poll of users on Engadget, have called it out, with some taking photos that show light spreading out from one or more of the iPad 2's four screen edges. These leaks do not appear as focused light, but rather a band that's the most intense at the edge, and dissipates as it goes inward (as you can see in the picure at the right).Another issue, as noted by MacRumors last night, is a patchy yellow discoloration, which may or may not be related to the light leaks. A similar issue affected some iPhone 4 owners shortly after the launch of that product, and was chalked up to the screen bonding agent from the phone's production still in the process of drying out.From the look of various support and community forums, neither of these issues is widespread, though with the iPad 2 going on sale just last night, it's too early to make that call. CNET has reached out to Apple about both issues to see if the gadget maker is providing any guidance.
Rock the Vote registers voters with QR code T-shirts
Rock the Vote registers voters with QR code T-shirts
Rock the Vote is credited with creating the first telephone voter registration system. Now it has introduced the first shirt-activated voter registration system.The Scan to Vote T-shirt is part of a larger campaign aimed at signing up 1.5 million new voters before election day rolls around this fall. The shirts are available for $28 through Threads 4 Thought.Scan the QR code printed on the shirt and you end up at the Scan to Vote Web site and can walk through the process of registering to vote online. Related storiesWorld's first 'Wikipedia town' covered in QR codesQR code tattoo generates random linksI remember when Rock the Vote first launched in the early 1990s. It was all over MTV and endorsed by everyone from Madonna to Queen Latifah. It was cool. The organization has never been afraid to try out new technologies in its quest to register voters. It once teamed up with Microsoft to reach out to gamers through Xbox Live. Go back even further and you'll find an iTunes promotion exchanging free songs for a voting commitment.If all goes according to plan, droves of voters will be signing up via QR code scanning apps pointed at other people's torsos. That's pretty rockin'.(Via Mashable)
Rock the Vote is credited with creating the first telephone voter registration system. Now it has introduced the first shirt-activated voter registration system.The Scan to Vote T-shirt is part of a larger campaign aimed at signing up 1.5 million new voters before election day rolls around this fall. The shirts are available for $28 through Threads 4 Thought.Scan the QR code printed on the shirt and you end up at the Scan to Vote Web site and can walk through the process of registering to vote online. Related storiesWorld's first 'Wikipedia town' covered in QR codesQR code tattoo generates random linksI remember when Rock the Vote first launched in the early 1990s. It was all over MTV and endorsed by everyone from Madonna to Queen Latifah. It was cool. The organization has never been afraid to try out new technologies in its quest to register voters. It once teamed up with Microsoft to reach out to gamers through Xbox Live. Go back even further and you'll find an iTunes promotion exchanging free songs for a voting commitment.If all goes according to plan, droves of voters will be signing up via QR code scanning apps pointed at other people's torsos. That's pretty rockin'.(Via Mashable)
Oxford, Rice, Open University release eBooks on iTunes U
Oxford, Rice, Open University release eBooks on iTunes U
Oxford University, The Open University, and Rice University are three of the first schools to release eBooks on Apple's iTunes U, the part of the iTunes Store dedicated to offering free educational content.The Open University has released 100 free, interactive eBooks and promises an additional 200 titles by the end of the year. The school said its eBooks aren't just digital versions of existing books, but rather books that are designed specifically for the electronic format.As an example, Martin Bean, vice chancellor of The Open University, said that if you are learning about Schubert, you can hear the music while you follow the score and read the text.In June, The Open University became the first school to reach 20 million downloads of its material on iTunes U. It now has over 27 million downloads worldwide.Oxford University joined the eBook release party as it pushed out Shakespeare's entire First Folio. Oxford's Shakespeare contribution is available free from iTunes U.Oxford said it is also making six plays by contemporaries of Shakespeare available, including "The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster.Rice University released 18 of its most popular free textbooks available as part of its open education initiative, Connexions.The books are available for download on iTunes U in the open ePub format. iTunes U, providing free educational material such as lab demonstrations and lectures, launched in 2007.
Oxford University, The Open University, and Rice University are three of the first schools to release eBooks on Apple's iTunes U, the part of the iTunes Store dedicated to offering free educational content.The Open University has released 100 free, interactive eBooks and promises an additional 200 titles by the end of the year. The school said its eBooks aren't just digital versions of existing books, but rather books that are designed specifically for the electronic format.As an example, Martin Bean, vice chancellor of The Open University, said that if you are learning about Schubert, you can hear the music while you follow the score and read the text.In June, The Open University became the first school to reach 20 million downloads of its material on iTunes U. It now has over 27 million downloads worldwide.Oxford University joined the eBook release party as it pushed out Shakespeare's entire First Folio. Oxford's Shakespeare contribution is available free from iTunes U.Oxford said it is also making six plays by contemporaries of Shakespeare available, including "The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster.Rice University released 18 of its most popular free textbooks available as part of its open education initiative, Connexions.The books are available for download on iTunes U in the open ePub format. iTunes U, providing free educational material such as lab demonstrations and lectures, launched in 2007.
iPod Touch 2G takes CNET Editors' Choice
iPod Touch 2G takes CNET Editors' Choice
Remember when the first-generation iPod Touch came out last year? The poor thing only had 11 Apps, couldn't e-mail, and the advent of movie rentals, games, and the iTunes App store were distant on the horizon. Oh, and 8 gigs would set you back about $300. Slowly, but surely, Apple kept upping the ante by adding more features and offering movie rentals, games, and finally, the App store. Still, the boutique price of the first-gen Touch made it tough to recommend, especially as the up-front price of the iPhone 3G dropped down to $199.Now, finally, Apple has delivered the iPod Touch we've been waiting for, at a price that makes sense (although I still hope the 8GB version dips to $199 after the holidays). The second-generation iPod Touch is miles away from the device I first saw in September of 2007--the hardware is sexier, the features run rings around the competition, and the open-ended development of the App store can bring nothing but improvements. No product is perfect, and there are plenty of legitimate reasons to turn your back on the iPod Touch (iTunes headaches, cheaper options, valuing simplicity over features). But I feel confident saying that the second-generation iPod Touch is the best portable media player I've used this year. As proof, I offer you myfull review of the second-generation Apple iPod Touch, recipient of CNET's Editors' Choice.
Remember when the first-generation iPod Touch came out last year? The poor thing only had 11 Apps, couldn't e-mail, and the advent of movie rentals, games, and the iTunes App store were distant on the horizon. Oh, and 8 gigs would set you back about $300. Slowly, but surely, Apple kept upping the ante by adding more features and offering movie rentals, games, and finally, the App store. Still, the boutique price of the first-gen Touch made it tough to recommend, especially as the up-front price of the iPhone 3G dropped down to $199.Now, finally, Apple has delivered the iPod Touch we've been waiting for, at a price that makes sense (although I still hope the 8GB version dips to $199 after the holidays). The second-generation iPod Touch is miles away from the device I first saw in September of 2007--the hardware is sexier, the features run rings around the competition, and the open-ended development of the App store can bring nothing but improvements. No product is perfect, and there are plenty of legitimate reasons to turn your back on the iPod Touch (iTunes headaches, cheaper options, valuing simplicity over features). But I feel confident saying that the second-generation iPod Touch is the best portable media player I've used this year. As proof, I offer you myfull review of the second-generation Apple iPod Touch, recipient of CNET's Editors' Choice.
Hyundai demos Equus' owner's manual iPad app
Hyundai demos Equus' owner's manual iPad app
When Hyundai debuted its line-topping Equus, the automaker also made the grand claim that it would be ditching the luxury sedan's paper owner's manuals in favor of a 16GB Wi-Fi Apple iPad and an app. We've already taken the Equus for a test-drive, and now prospective buyers can test-drive the Hyundai Equus iPad Owner Experience app, which is available for download in the iTunes App Store.Demonstrated in the video below, the app is shown playing promotional videos, giving users access to a 3D vehicle walk-around, and running animated and interactive demonstrations of vehicle safety features, such as adaptive headlights that turn to aim into a bend. There's also a map of Hyundai dealers and service centers, detailed information about specific vehicle infotainment functions, and what appears to be some sort of tilt-sensor-based driving simulator. As the app also has to function as an owner's manual, we assume there's more mundane but still useful information included, too, about such things as oil changes and where to find the spare tire.Pop over to the iTunes App Store to try out the free Hyundai Equus iPad Owner Experience app before dropping $58,000 on the car.
When Hyundai debuted its line-topping Equus, the automaker also made the grand claim that it would be ditching the luxury sedan's paper owner's manuals in favor of a 16GB Wi-Fi Apple iPad and an app. We've already taken the Equus for a test-drive, and now prospective buyers can test-drive the Hyundai Equus iPad Owner Experience app, which is available for download in the iTunes App Store.Demonstrated in the video below, the app is shown playing promotional videos, giving users access to a 3D vehicle walk-around, and running animated and interactive demonstrations of vehicle safety features, such as adaptive headlights that turn to aim into a bend. There's also a map of Hyundai dealers and service centers, detailed information about specific vehicle infotainment functions, and what appears to be some sort of tilt-sensor-based driving simulator. As the app also has to function as an owner's manual, we assume there's more mundane but still useful information included, too, about such things as oil changes and where to find the spare tire.Pop over to the iTunes App Store to try out the free Hyundai Equus iPad Owner Experience app before dropping $58,000 on the car.
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