Apple Releases Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update 1.2
Nov 13, 2014 1:10 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update 1.2, designed for the Thunderbolt Display that was released in 2011. According to the release notes, the update improves reliability when connecting devices to the Apple Thunderbolt Display and addresses a rare issue that may cause the display to go black.

Thunderbolt Display owners can download the update from the Mac App Store.

thunderbolt_display_yos_roundup
Thunderbolt Display Firmware updates are fairly rare, with the last firmware update released in December of 2011 to fix an issue with fan noise.

Apple Seeds New Betas of Safari 8.0.1, 7.1.1, and 6.2.1
Nov 13, 2014 12:49 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple has released a new Safari 8.0.1 beta for developers running OS X Yosemite, along with a Safari 7.1.1 beta for Mavericks and a Safari 6.2.1 beta for older versions of OS X.

The new Safari builds can be downloaded through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store. Safari 8.0.1 for OS X Yosemite requires OS X 10.10 or 10.10.1, while Safari 7.1.1 for OS X Mavericks requires OS X 10.9.5 and Safari 6.2.1 for OS X Mountain Lion requires OS X 10.8.5.

safari_8_0_1_seed
In the beta notes for Safari 8.0.1, Apple asks developers to focus on features like Extension compatibility, WebGL graphics on Retina displays, Password AutoFill, and more.
Focus Areas
Please focus testing on the following areas:
- General website compatibility
- Extension compatibility
- WebGL graphics on Retina displays
- Password AutoFill when passwords are synchronized across multiple devices
- Syncing history between devices (OS X Yosemite only)
- Importing usernames and passwords from Firefox (OS X Yosemite only)
In addition to a Safari update, Apple is also working on the first OS X Yosemite update, OS X 10.10.1, which asks developers to focus on Wi-Fi, Exchange accounts in Mail, and the Notification Center.
MacRumors Folding@home Team Reaches Two Billion Points
Nov 13, 2014 10:18 am PST by Doctor Q
The MacRumors Folding@home team has contributed over two billion points to the distributed computing medical research project, reaching this milestone on November 12. It took 11.5 years for the MacRumors team to accumulate its first billion points, but the team completed its second billion points in only 12.5 months, thanks in large part to today's faster GPUs, as well as Quick Return Bonus Points and users running the client software with optimized configuations. The team has risen from #55 to #45 among the over 225,000 folding teams.

We're proud that our supporters and forum members are contributing to medical research by participating in Folding@home, and MacRumors encourages you to join our team as well. Folding@home participants receive work units as computation assignments and completed work units are assigned points based on their value to the project's scientific purposes. Client software is available for OS X, Windows, and Linux, and users should feel free to ask questions in our Distributed Computing forum.

The MacRumors Folding@home team was formed in May 2002 by MacRumors owner Arnold Kim. The team currently averages over 78 million points per month, almost 40 times its rate a year ago. Over 2000 users have contributed to the MacRumors team effort, with 5 team members (rwh202, twoodcc, Louis_Wu, ChristianFAH, and whiterabbit) each having contributed over 100 million points. Additional team statistics and graphs can be viewed at Extreme Overclocking.


Folding@home, run by Stanford University since October 2000, uses otherwise-idle computers to run protein folding simulation software, helping researchers search for cures for Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, AIDS, influenza, and many forms of cancer. The software simulates how proteins, RNA, and nanoscale synthetic polymers fold, both to gain understanding of how proteins fold into their three-dimensional structure and to study the causes of the abnormal folding that leads to disease.
Microsoft to Open Source .NET Stack, Expand Platform to OS X, Linux
Nov 12, 2014 9:28 am PST by Kelly Hodgkins
Microsoft today announced that it is furthering its commitment to cross-platform development with an expanded open source program for its .NET platform and additional support for operating systems outside of Microsoft Windows.
"With billions of devices in the market today, developers need tools that target many different form factors and platforms," said S. Somasegar, corporate vice president, Developer Division, Microsoft. "Through Visual Studio and .NET we are committed to delivering a comprehensive end-to-end solution for developers to build and manage applications across multiple devices and platforms."
After releasing several .NET libraries earlier this year to the open source community, Microsoft confirmed it would open source the full server .NET stack, making it available to developers via Github. The company also is expanding .NET to run on third-party platforms such as Linux and OS X and is working with the open source Mono project to ensure these cross-platform operations are ready for enterprise-level applications.

Microsoft-dotNET-logo
As part of its Connect() event, Microsoft also unveiled its next generation Visual Studio 2015 developer suite with expanded cross-platform support. Additionally, the Redmond company announced the immediate release of Visual Studio Community 2013 and Visual Studio 2013 Update 4.

This open source initiative is part of a broader campaign to support platforms outside of Windows and Windows Phone. The company now offers Office on the iPhone and iPad and is continuing its support for Apple's OS X platform. An updated version of Office for Mac is rumored for release sometime in 2015.
Apple Seeds Second Beta of OS X Yosemite 10.10.1 to Developers
Nov 10, 2014 3:08 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple today seeded build 14B23 of OS X 10.10.1 to developers, one week after seeding the first OS X 10.10.1 beta, build 14B17, and nearly a month after first releasing OS X Yosemite to the public.

The new beta is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store and through the Mac Dev Center.

yosemite10101betaupdate
While it is unclear what improvements the first update to OS X Yosemite will bring, there are several bugs in the operating system including a major Wi-Fi issue that has caused connection problems for a number of users.

Apple is asking developers to focus on Wi-Fi, Exchange accounts in Mail, and the Notification Center.
Apple Adds Genius Bar Reservations to Product Support Options
Nov 7, 2014 8:01 pm PST by Husain Sumra
Apple has updated its Support website, adding the option for users to schedule Genius Bar appointments at their local Apple retail stores within the Support site. Previously, users had to navigate to their local Apple Store's page to make appointments.

applesupport
The new option, first spotted by 9to5Mac, is presented after a user defines what kind of problem they're having with a particular product. Users are then prompted to enter their location and are given a choice of what Apple Store they'd like to visit. However, the option isn't available for all issues. For example, users having battery issues with an iPad can make a Genius Bar reservation while users looking for help manually syncing their iPad to iTunes cannot.

In the last year, Apple has been overhauling its online support infrastructure, revamping its AppleCare website and chat interface. This is the latest move in the company's efforts to streamline its support and make it as simple as possible for customers to seek solutions for potential problems.
Buyer's Guide: Deals on Retina iMac, Older iPads, Apple Accessories, and More
Nov 7, 2014 3:32 pm PST by Juli Clover
As the holidays approach, deals on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple accessories will be picking up, culminating in a slew of deals around Black Friday. Some retailers have already begun offering discounts on Apple products, and this week, there are discounts on the Retina iMac, a range of older iPads, and various Apple accessories including Western Digital hard drives and Beats earphones.

Retina iMac


Apple's newest Retina iMac hasn't been available for long, but Amazon is already offering the stock machine (3.5GHz/8GB/1TB) for $2,449, a discount of $50.

retina-imac-27
MacMall isn't offering significant discounts on the Retina iMac (approximately $5 off all models), but the site does have 25 different configurations in stock, ranging from the base model for $2,494 to the higher-end 4.0GHz/32GB/512GB model for $3,894. The benefit to ordering from MacMall is that the machines are in stock and likely to ship faster than purchasing from Apple, as Apple's store is offering shipping estimates of 7 to 10 days.

iPad Air


Now that the iPad Air 2 is available, Best Buy is offering significant discounts on the older iPad Air models. While the iPad Air doesn't offer Touch ID or the fast A8X processor found in the iPad Air 2, it's still a very capable device for those who would rather get a good price than the latest bells and whistles.

- iPad Air WiFi-only Silver 64GB - $499.99 ($200 off)
- iPad Air WiFi-only Space Gray 64GB - $499.99 ($200 off)

ipadair
- iPad Air Cellular AT&T Silver 64GB - $629.99 ($200 off)
- iPad Air Cellular AT&T Space Gray 64GB - $629.99 ($200 off)
- iPad Air Cellular Verizon Silver 64GB - $629.99 ($200 off)
- iPad Air Cellular Verizon Space Gray 64GB - $629.99 ($200 off)


iPad mini 2


As with the iPad Air, it's now possible to get discontinued models of the iPad mini 2 at a steep discount. Apple's no longer selling the iPad mini 2 in higher capacities, leading discounters to offer excellent deals on models with lots of storage. There's little difference between the mini 2 and the mini 3 aside from Touch ID, making the mini 2 a very good purchase. Deals below are from Best Buy.

- iPad mini 2 WiFi-only Silver 64GB - $399 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 WiFi-only Space Gray 64GB - $399 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 WiFi-only Silver 128GB - $499 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 WiFi-only Space Gray 128GB - $499 ($200 off)

retina_ipad_mini_space_gray_silver
- iPad mini 2 Cellular AT&T Silver 64GB - $529.99 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 Cellular AT&T Space Gray 64GB - $529.99 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 Cellular AT&T Space Gray 128GB - $629.99 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 Cellular Verizon Silver 64GB - $529.99 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 Cellular Verizon Space Gray 64GB - $529.99 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 Cellular Verizon Silver 128GB - $629.99 ($200 off)
- iPad mini 2 Cellular Verizon Space Gray 128GB - $629.99 ($200 off)

Original iPad mini


Walmart has a limited time deal offering the original 16GB WiFi-only iPad mini in Silver or Space Gray for $199, a $50 discount off Apple's price for the tablet.

2014 Retina MacBook Pro


There are a few deals on the latest 2014 Retina MacBook Pros this month, offering some of the biggest discounts we've seen on the notebooks thus far.

- 13-inch/8GB RAM/128GB storage (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,199.99 ($100 off)
- 13-inch/8GB RAM/256GB storage (Best Buy) - $1,374.99 ($124 off)
- 13-inch/8GB RAM/512GB storage (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,699.99 ($100 off)
- 15-inch/16GB RAM/256GB storage (Best Buy) - $1,799.99 ($200 off)

Apple Accessories


JBL onBeat mini iPhone/iPad Speaker Dock is available for $30 from Meh, a discount of $69.The Agloves Touchscreen Winter Gloves are available for $7.99 from Groupon, a discount of $18. Scosche's Premium Earphones are available from Groupon for $18.99, a discount of $60.

touchscreengloves
Best Buy is offering $20 to $40 off all Western Digital portable hard drives, dropping prices as low as $60 for a 500GB My Passport Ultra. Speck MacBook Cases for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are available for $19.99 from Groupon, a discount of $30. Groupon is also selling the Powerbeats by Dr. Dre Earbud headphones for $79.99, a discount of $70.

mypassportultra
For the next few weeks, Target will be offering 10 percent off all of the items on a child's wish list. Parents need to download the Target Wish List app and have kids create a wish list of products that will then be available at a 10 percent discount. Apple products are excluded, but Apple accessories such as cases are included.

Make sure to check out our deals posts each week for the latest products that are available at low prices, and keep an eye on our Black Friday roundup, which will be updated on a regular basis with all of the discounts we find on popular Apple products.

MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.
Spotify Connect for Computers Turns An iPhone Into a Remote Control for Mac
Nov 7, 2014 10:18 am PST by Kelly Hodgkins
Spotify.pngSpotify on Friday added a new feature that allows subscribers to use an iPhone or iPad as a remote control for playback on their Mac. The new feature is available for free as part of Spotify's $9.99 monthly premium subscription.
We've just released a great new Premium feature, which lets you play Spotify through your computer, using your phone or tablet as a remote. Use the Spotify app to control the sound. It's brilliant if your laptop’s hooked up to your speakers. Or if you just don’t want to get off the couch.
Using the new Connect for Computers feature is simple, according to Spotify's setup instructions. After downloading the latest version of the mobile and desktop app, subscribers only need to log in, tap the "Now Playing" bar and hit "Connect" to direct music from an iPhone or iPad to a computer and its connected speakers.


Spotify is among the leading music streaming subscription services, sitting behind market leader Pandora and edging out Apple's Beats Music in App Store Revenue. Spotify recently introduced a new Family Plan feature that allows premium subscribers to add up to four additional lines for $4.99 each.
OWC Launches 1 TB SSD Upgrade Kits for 2010-2012 MacBook Air
Nov 6, 2014 9:49 am PST by Eric Slivka
Other World Computing today announced the launch of new 1 TB (960 GB) solid state drive options for 2010-2012 models of the MacBook Air.

owc_ssd_install_2012_mba
Priced at $549 for the drive alone or $579 for a package including tools and an Envoy enclosure to repurpose the original drive for external storage, the new 1 TB option complements existing 120, 240, and 480 GB options for the various MacBook Air generations.

- 2010 MacBook Air SSD upgrades
- 2011 MacBook Air SSD upgrades
- 2012 MacBook Air SSD upgrades

With Apple's move to PCIe-based SSDs beginning with the 2013 MacBook Air, OWC has yet to launch new SSD upgrade kits for the latest notebooks, but the company has promised it is hard at work on kits for these machines.

Related roundup: MacBook Air
Pixelmator for Mac Updated With Redesigned Interface, OS X Yosemite Support
Nov 6, 2014 5:04 am PST by Juli Clover
Popular Mac Photoshop alternative Pixelmator was today updated to version 3.3 "Limestone," introducing a redesigned interface, a repair tool extension, and support for several OS X Yosemite features including iCloud Drive and Handoff. The update also brings support for the new iMac with Retina 5K display.

Pixelmator's subtle redesign was inspired by OS X Yosemite, bringing a flatter look and translucency to many interface elements to help the editing app blend in better with Apple's newest Mac operating system.

pixelmatorlimestone
The app now includes full iCloud Drive support, making it easy to access images on any iOS device or Mac, and with Handoff, users can start editing an image on a Mac and instantly switch to Pixelmator's recently released iPad app with just a tap. There are also new Repair Tool Action Extensions, letting users edit images in Mail or TextEditor using Pixelmator tools.
Pixelmator 3.3 Limestone adds complete OS X Yosemite feature and technology support and embraces new Continuity features, like Handoff, so you can switch instantly between Mac and iPad apps, as well as iCloud Drive support, so you can safely store and access all your images on the device you have at that time.

Support for OS X Extensions offers an advanced-technology Repair Tool in apps like Mail or TextEdit. You can now easily remove objects and repair images right in the app you are using, without even having to open Pixelmator. Just add your picture to the message or document and use the extension tool to enhance it.
The 3.3 update is rolling out now and is available for free to all existing Pixelmator users. Pixelmator can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $29.99. [Direct Link]
Apple Opening New Retail Store in Lille, France Saturday, November 15
Nov 6, 2014 2:15 am PST by Richard Padilla
Apple today announced on its website (via ifoAppleStore) that it will be opening its store in Lille, France on Saturday, November 15. The store will be located on 1 Rue Faidherbe, which also hosts a number of other luxury retailers and outlets. The store itself will contain two levels and span 1400 square meters (15000 square feet) and wrap around the city block, offering a wide amount of space for both sales and services.

applestoreblacklille
Apple put up its traditional black barrier around the store just last week, with the location marking Apple's eighteenth store in France. The Apple Store Opéra in Paris has become known as one of the company's most visually stunning locations, as Apple also has stores in Dijon, Lyon, and Nice.

Apple is expected to hand out commemorative T-shirts to the first 1,000 customers to visit. The Apple Store Lille opens at 10 A.M. on Saturday, November 15, and the location has begun accepting reservations for workshops and Genius bar appointments.
Microsoft Announces 'Skype Translator' Early Preview for Windows 8.1 Users
Nov 3, 2014 9:44 am PST by Juli Clover
Microsoft today announced that it's opening signups for an early preview of Skype Translator, a real-time language translation feature that it first showed off earlier this year at Re/code's Code Conference.

While the initial trial program will be limited to customers who own a Windows 8.1 computer or tablet, Microsoft is open to bringing Skype Translator to other platforms in the future.
The preview program will be free and will initially be available for Windows 8.1 computers and tablets only, and will kick-off with a limited selection of languages. That said, as part of the sign-up process, you'll have the chance to tell us which languages are important to you, what platforms you'd like to see added, and how you plan to use Skype Translator once it becomes available. We look forward to this feedback, as it will help enhance future releases.
In a May demo of the Skype translation tool, a Skype employee conducted a conversation with a German-speaking colleague, with Skype providing real-time translation from German to English and vice versa. While the translation software did not perform perfectly, audience members at the time said its translation capabilities were "pretty good."

Microsoft also demoed the feature at its Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, showing off somewhat more polished translation capabilities. According to Microsoft, Skype Translator continually improves as it translates text back and forth from one language to another.

Microsoft Skype Translator Demo

As with the demo, the early preview version of Skype Translator only works with a small number of languages, but Microsoft has plans to continually add additional languages to the app as development progresses.

Microsoft has previously said that after Skype Translator is beta tested on the Windows platform, it will be brought to Mac users.
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