Apple today seeded a minor 1.1 update for the iOS 9.3 beta that was provided to developers earlier this week to fix a few critical bugs that needed to be immediately addressed.
The iOS 9.3 Beta 1.1, build 13E5181f, is available as an over-the-air update and through the Apple Developer Center.
According to Apple's release notes, the iOS 9.3 1.1 beta fixes an installation issue that developers encountered when trying to install the first iOS 9.3 beta. On some devices, updating to iOS 9.3 failed, causing the update to freeze at the Apple logo. We at MacRumors encountered this installation issue on an iPad mini 2, with multiple failures preventing the beta from being installed.
The update also fixed an issue with apps that used compass data on devices that did not include a motion coprocessor. On these devices, the locationd service would continually crash for as long as the compass request continued.
As a major .1 update to the iOS 9 operating system, iOS 9.3 introduces quite a few new features. There's a new Night Shift mode that cuts down on the amount of blue light iOS users are exposed to in the evening hours by automatically shifting the iPhone or iPad display to a warmer (yellower) color spectrum, and there are several new features designed to improve the iPad for Education program.
Several apps and features are also being updated, including Health, Notes, CarPlay, and ore, plus there are new Quick Actions for Weather, Settings, Compass, Health, App Store, and iTunes Store.
iOS 9.3 is expected to be released to the public in the spring, so it is likely to see several additional updates over the beta testing period.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming OS X 10.11.4 beta to public beta testers, just a few days after releasing the first OS X 10.11.4 beta to developers and more than a month after releasing OS X 10.11.2.
The new beta is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store for those who are enrolled in Apple's beta testing program. Those wishing to join the program can sign up on Apple's beta testing website.
OS X 10.11.4 has been provided to developers and public beta testers alongside OS X 10.11.3, which is also currently in testing. Apple has provided testers with two betas of OS X 10.11.3, and it could be released to the public shortly.
Both OS X 10.11.3 and OS X 10.11.4 appear to focus largely on under-the-hood bug fixes, security enhancements, and performance optimizations with few noticeable outward-facing changes. OS X 10.11.4 does support password protected notes in the Notes app, allowing a password to be assigned to individual notes.
Apple today released the first beta of an upcoming iOS 9.3 update for public beta testers, just a few days after seeding the iOS 9.3 beta to developers. iOS 9.3 is available to public beta testers alongside iOS 9.2.1, a minor update that is also in testing.
Beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program will receive the iOS 9.3 update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on their iOS device.
Those who want to be a part of Apple's beta testing program can sign up to participate through the beta testing website, which gives users access to both iOS and OS X betas.
iOS 9.3 is a major update to the iOS 9 operating system, introducing a long list of new features and improvements. iOS 9.3's biggest new feature is Night Shift mode, which is designed to automatically cut down on the amount of blue light an iOS user is exposed to at night by shifting to more yellow tones for the iPhone or iPad's display. With iOS 9.3, there's a number of changes for educational users, and the iPhone is now able to pair with multiple Apple Watches.
The update also includes new 3D Touch Quick Actions for stock apps like Weather, Settings, Compass, Health, App Store, and iTunes Store, plus it introduces password protection for individual notes in the Notes app. News in iOS 9.3 includes in-line video playback, landscape mode on the iPhone, and more personalization, while the Health app introduces a new Apple Watch-style "Activity" interface.
Ahead of the official ceremony for the 88th Academy Awards on February 28, this morning the nominations for all 24 categories at the Oscars were announced at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs managed to net a few nominations of its own during the event, including: Kate Winslet for Best Support Actress and Michael Fassbender for Best Actor. Notably, Aaron Sorkin wasn't nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Today's announcement comes after the film won two Golden Globes earlier in the week, one for Kate Winslet in the Best Support Actress category and another for Aaron Sorkin's screenplay. During the ceremony, Sorkin commented on his hope for these awards to overshadow the film's poor box office performance, considering the high amount of critical praiseSteve Jobs has received in the face of its lackluster draw.
Samsung Display is close to reaching an agreement with Apple to supply flexible OLED displays for future iPhones, and will invest up to $7.47 billion in OLED manufacturing equipment to fulfill orders, according to Korea-based ET News.
Samsung's display-making division will reportedly increase OLED display production by 30,000 to 45,000 panels per month this year, followed by an additional 45,000 substrates each month in 2017, per the terms of its nearly finalized contract.
OLED manufacturing and inspection equipment will primarily come from South Korean display businesses AP Systems and HB Technology, the report claims.
Multiple reports claim Apple will launch iPhones with OLED displays in 2018. In addition to Samsung Display, the OLED panel orders may be spread out over a number of suppliers, possibly including AU Optronics, LG and Japan Display. All three display makers have supplied Apple with LCD panels for existing iPhones.
Apple is reportedly operating a Taiwanese factory where a team of engineers are developing thinner, lighter and brighter displays for future Apple devices. The secretive lab may be specifically focused on flexible OLED and Micro-LED display technologies for use in future-generation iPhones.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office today published a patent filed by Apple last August, which detailed an Apple Watch band accessory that could double as a "protective cover" for the device itself when not on a user's wrist (via AppleInsider). Referred to as the "Magnetic wristband," the accessory would be similar in function to the Leather and Milanese Loop bands sold today but include multiple "configurations" to introduce more utility to users.
The first configuration would essentially turn the band into the Apple Watch's own protective casing, coiling around the device and linking together magnetically the same way it would when placed on a wrist. The patent iterates on the fact that when removed, the Apple Watch "can be subjected to even greater forces and damage than when worn by the user," and as such, a way to protect the wearable device without any outside, third-party equipment could be greatly beneficial to each wearer.
Another configuration of the proposed band includes multiple ways to display the watch when it's not in use on a wrist. Using the band's magnetic technology, Apple's patent proposes simple solutions of being able to attach the entire product onto surfaces like a refrigerator or computer's bezel to keep it in sight. Another idea suggests the magnetic wristband could be rolled up into itself to create a sort of on-the-fly stand for the Apple Watch.
As with any patent story, the magnetic wristband is far from a confirmed lock for the upcoming "Apple Watch 2," but since it's long been rumored the company will most likely introduce new bands for the second generation device, it is an interesting possibility of where Apple could go with the wearable this year. With news surrounding the possible start of a trial production run on the next Apple Watch as early as this month, it's not too long that users should have to wait for the official announcement of the device. Current estimates place the reveal in March with a launch in April.
Popular password management service Dashlane today announced a major update, introducing Dashlane 4 for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. Dashlane 4 features a revamped design with a simplified, intuitive user interface that provides a consistent usage experience across multiple browsers and devices.
Every part of the app, from the sign-in screen to the option to add a new credit card or password, has been redesigned in an effort to make it more convenient to use. There are new list/grid views, new sorting options, and improved button and header labeling. A "Quick Actions" function makes it quicker to find data through an in-app search field, and Dashlane's automatic Password Changer feature now supports an additional 300 websites.
"Dashlane 4 is a significant step forward for our company in creating the world's best password, payments, and digital identity management solution. Our product received numerous awards in 2015 ranging from Google's Best Android Apps to Kiplinger's Best Identity Theft Prevention Tools. Dashlane 4 takes our award-winning product to new heights," said Emmanuel Schalit, CEO of Dashlane. "No matter what platform a Dashlane user logs into, they will have a simple, consistent, and secure user experience. This combination is unique and is driven by our mission to help users seamlessly manage their identity everywhere."
Dashlane's apps are also being updated with full support for five new languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, and Japanese.
Dashlane's password management service is free when used on a single device like a Mac or iPhone, but to sync passwords between multiple devices, users need a Dashlane Premium account that is priced at $39.99 per year.
A bill that is working its way through the New York state assembly would require Apple and other smartphone manufacturers and mobile operating system providers to decrypt and unlock devices to aid law enforcement. The bill was first spotted by On The Wire (viaThe Next Web).
Any smartphone sold or leased in New York after January 1, 2016 would have to be capable of being decrypted or unlocked by its manufacturer or OS provider. If manufacturers or OS providers do not comply, they would be subject to a fine of $2,500 per device.
Assemblyman Matthew Titone introduced the bill last summer and referred it to committee on January 6. In his notes accompanying the bill, Titone justified the decryption of smartphone security by citing the safety of citizens.
“The safety of the citizenry calls for a legislative solution, and a solution is easily at hand. Enacting this bill would penalize those who would sell smart- phones that are beyond the reach of law enforcement,” the notes on the bill say.
“The fact is that, although the new software may enhance privacy for some users, it severely hampers law enforcement’s ability to aid victims. All of the evidence contained in smartphones and similar devices will be lost to law enforcement, so long as the criminals take the precaution of protecting their devices with passcodes. Of course they will do so. Simply stated, passcode-protected devices render lawful court orders meaningless and encourage criminals to act with impunity.”
The next steps for the bill would be for it to move to the floor and then be voted on in both the assembly and senate.
Tim Cook and Apple have consistently spoken out against putting backdoors in encryption technology, arguing that allowing a backdoor for "good guys" also allows "bad guys" to use it for more nefarious means. Last month, Apple criticized the proposed Investigatory Powers bill in the UK, which tracks users' website history and adds backdoors into encryption. Last week, Cook lambasted White House officials on their encryption policy, asking them to adopt a "no backdoors" approach.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Wireless bluetooth headphones have been gaining traction over the past few years as potentially reliable replacements to the traditional wired headsets offered in most smartphone boxes. With the announcement of the "Bragi Dash" at CES in 2015 -- and the subsequent year of updates trickling out of the German company -- interest in true wireless earphones that don't even require a wire between the earpieces has begun to increase.
Interest in these products took another step forward last week when it was reported Apple may be working on a Dash-like product to be sold alongside the so-called "iPhone 7" later this year. The Apple-owned Beats by Dre brand already offers customers a variety of Bluetooth headphones, but none that are as small and undetectable as the Bragi Dash.
With the first round of Bragi Dash units now shipping to Kickstarter backers, a few sites have been sharing their initial impressions of the new earphones. The Verge, The Wall Street Journal, Engadget, and Wired agree on the Dash's impressive suite of features, especially subtle motion gestures and ambient noise control, but some remain skeptical of their wide appeal due to syncing issues and a short three-hour battery life.
The Verge commented on the gesture controls, surprised by the amount of subtlety the Dash still managed to pick up. The basic gestures let users nod or shake their heads to accept or reject phone calls, which the site found to work nearly too well, and worried over accidental gestures causing miscommunications with the Dash. Still, The Verge's favorite feature was the ability of the headphones to allow ambient noises to pass through to your ears from their location in a room, even when music is playing.
With the Dash, you just swipe on the left earbud and the ambient noise around you suddenly appears in your earbuds. Better yet, Bragi has done some especially tricky software work to make that ambient noise sound like it's coming from the corresponding direction. If someone is speaking to the right of you, it sounds like their voice is coming from that direction. You can do this while music is playing or not, and it's the kind of feature that you wind up wanting on any pair of headphones even after using it just one time.
Connectivity issues were the main concern of The Wall Street Journal's experience with Bragi's new headphones. The Bluetooth connection between the iPhone and the Dash became unreliable for the site "particularly on outdoor runs," necessitating the purchase of an armband case to bring the iPhone closer to the in-ear headphones. Although Bragi promises an upcoming update will address such problems -- and the Dash's 4GB of internal memory can offset some iPhone connectivity issues -- The Wall Street Journal remained skeptical on the consistency of the feature.
But in testing, another problem emerged: The Dash still connects via Bluetooth to the phone itself, and that connection dropped even more frequently than the Earin, particularly on outdoor runs. I ended up buying an armband case for my phone so I could get a more consistent connection.
A few times, the Dash fritzed out and became unresponsive until I put it back in its charging case. Buyer beware: These are surely signs that the software is a work in progress. (Bragi says an update is coming, which Dash owners will install by plugging the companion case into a computer.)
On the plus side, the site was largely impressed by the Near Field Magnetic Induction used by Bragi to keep the dual earbuds in sync, creating a "bubble around one’s head through which the sounds travels from one ear to the other." NFMI was the reason the Dash were delayed in the middle of last year, when the team decided to find a better way for the earbuds to communicate with each other. WSJ also found that each of the Dash's earbuds were reliable in their fit within the ear, never causing concern over whether either piece would fall out during long runs and workouts.
The Bragi Dash inside of its portable charging case, via Engadget
Engadget was doubly impressed by the use of NFMI as an alternative to Bluetooth connectivity between each piece of the Dash (Bluetooth is still used to communicate with the iPhone). Like most reviews, the site also commented on the usefulness of the Dash's voice assistant that guides users through the initial setup and can also read out data and information back to them on the fly.
I insert a bud into my right ear, and then the left. A few seconds later I hear a woman's voice. She explains how I can listen to music on my phone, afterwards there is silence; deafening silence. Until I connect my phone to the wireless headphones, and the lady returns, confirming that everything is good, and I'm all set. This is probably the slickest gadget set-up I have ever experienced.
Wired's experience with the Dash most succinctly categorized the headphones apart from everything else that is available on the market, the site calling Bragi's new product "a computer, a platform, an entirely personalized object," separate from competitors like Earins. When testing the basic music functionality of the earphones, Wired found the quality to be "fantastic" and referred to the new product as "remarkable" for what it accomplishes even considering the slim three-hour battery life.
The Dash is not a pair of headphones. Well, it is, but that’s like calling the iPhone a telephone. It’s not competing with devices like the Earins, or whatever truly wireless Beats headphones Apple’s working on for the iPhone 7. Dash is a computer, a platform, an entirely personalized object.
Apple's iAd program has never been responsible for a large portion of its sales, leading Apple to decide that it's time to take a step back from the platform. According to BuzzFeed, Apple plans to end its efforts at advertising sales and cease its direct involvement with iAd. "It's just not something we're good at," an inside source told BuzzFeed.
To accomplish this, Apple will dismantle its iAd sales team and will turn the iAd platform over to publishers, allowing them to directly create and sell advertising content. Publishers will be able to keep 100 percent of revenue generated.
Advertising industry sources familiar with Apple's new plan for iAds seem intrigued by it. "I think this is going to be great for publishers," said one. "It gives them direct dialogue with their customers as opposed to forcing them to go through an Apple middleman. Access will be more plentiful and easier to manage -- theoretically."
In September, Apple made the first steps towards automating iAd with an iAd Workbench update that added tools to allow publishers to sell ads themselves in Apple News. Currently, Apple News publishers are able to sell their own ads or have iAd sell on their behalf, while developers have to rely entirely on iAd. Apple is expanding its Apple News model to the App Store and other platforms, allowing publishers to sell directly.
Since its debut in 2010, Apple has failed to establish iAd as a successful advertising platform, mainly due to pricing. At launch, iAd's minimum buy-in fee was at $500,000 and despite several price cuts, Apple has struggled to get advertisers on board. Apple made several improvements to iAd over the years and attempted to revive the platform when iTunes Radio launched, but it has never been a successful venture for the company.
For end users, the impact should be minimal. The iAd platform is sticking around and should continue to serve up many of the same in-app ads in the same format that's available today.
Update 1/15: Apple has confirmed plans to discontinue its iAd App Network on June 30, 2016 in an announcement made to developers.
Many cases for the iPad Pro add a lot of unnecessary bulk, a problem the Oxford Leather Case from Pad & Quill solves through the clever use of adhesive. Featuring a simple book-style design that offers full front and back protection, the Oxford Leather iPad Pro Case uses a strong adhesive to hold the iPad Pro firmly in place while leaving it free to be used with the Smart Keyboard.
Design
Opening a Pad & Quill product is fun because Pad & Quill excels at packaging. The Oxford Case came wrapped in a simple bit of thick brown paper, sealed with red wax and the Pad & Quill insignia. It's tasteful packaging and I always enjoy when manufacturers put a little effort into the unwrapping experience.
Pad & Quill's Oxford Case, like many of its products, is carefully crafted by hand from high-quality leather. In this case, it's made from a single piece of full-grain bridle leather and comes in two colors: Whiskey and Chestnut. An expensive, high-quality leather pairs nicely with Apple's larger-screened tablet, and the Oxford's design looks like it will work equally well in business and casual situations.
Leather like this will change and age over time, giving each Oxford case a unique, broken-in look to add personality, so that's something to keep in mind when considering this option. Inside the case, there's a softer leather to protect the iPad's screen, and there's also an interior pocket to hold papers and the Apple Pencil.
Microsoft has released an update for its Office 2016 for Mac suite that addresses multiple security vulnerabilities, fixes bugs and adds select new features across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook.
Version 15.8.0 allows Outlook to be used in full-screen mode for viewing multiple messages or invitations side by side. The update also makes it easier to find available Outlook conference rooms at your desired meeting time.
In Word, PDF files can now be saved to flash drives. Meanwhile, Excel and PowerPoint have gained new selection panes to keep track of worksheet objects and slideshow objects respectively, and rearrange their placement and order.
In OneNote, shapes can now be added to notebook pages and now support the built-in shapes gallery. OneNote, Excel and PowerPoint all received general bug fixes.
The free update is available from Microsoft AutoUpdate within Office 2016 for Mac, or the Microsoft Download Center, and requires OS X Yosemite 10.10 or later and a valid Office 365 subscription.
Adult Swim Games last week announced a brand-new mobile game called Pocket Mortys, which launches on the App Store today. Based off of the network's hit show Rick and Morty, the game is set up as a parody of the popular Pokémon franchise and will set players up against a collection of alternate versions of Morty who are under the control of evil alien trainers.
As described by our sister site TouchArcade in a full preview, Pocket Mortys puts players in the shoes of Rick and tasks them with fighting, capturing, and training as many diverse Mortys as they can to have the best possible collection in the game. Adult Swim Games' new app eschews Pokémon's complex mechanics of elemental type characters for a simpler and more random "Rock, Paper, Scissors" system, focusing more on rewarding fans of the show than offering deep systems for more intense gamers.
Rather than use an entire chart of elements, it looks like most Mortys will be one of the old tried and true Rock, Paper, Scissors categories. While this may disturb the monster capture game purists out there, this game seems to be set up primarily as fan service to the Rick and Morty show.
At the moment, I don't see any in app purchases. You can do opt-in video ad viewing for the in game currency, Schmeckles. You can expect to see a Fallout Shelter-like pay structure emerge from the game at some point, but just the fact that I don't even have the option unlocked yet to view their IAP should be a testament to their decision to keep it understated and pretty discreet.
In total, users will be able to capture and train over 70 versions of Morty throughout the game, including Mustache Morty, Wizard Morty, and Cronenberg Morty. Pocket Mortys will also let players craft items from itemized references to the show, engage in side quests, and interact with characters like Bird Person, Mr. Meeseeks, and more.
Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes reportedly told investors on Monday that he would entertain a sale of the media company, and Apple is a possible suitor, according to the New York Post. AT&T, which owns DirecTV, and Fox are also said to have shown interest.
Eddy Cue, one of Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook’s top lieutenants, in charge of content deals, has been keeping tabs on proceedings at Time Warner, a source close to Apple said.
Time Warner owns a large number of assets that could lay the foundation for Apple's much-rumored streaming TV service, including CNN, HBO, TBS, TNT, NBA TV, Cartoon Network and its Warner Bros. division. A deal could allow Apple to offer a skinny bundle of channels airing popular TV shows for all ages like Adventure Time, Game of Thrones, Sesame Street, Silicon Valley and Veep.
Apple's streaming TV service has reportedly been placed on hold due to its difficulties in securing deals with content owners, but striking a deal with Time Warner would allow the company to reconsider offering a skinny bundle of channels through a Netflix-like service for Apple TV, Mac, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
Apple has previously been in talks with CBS, ABC, Fox, Disney, Viacom, Discovery and others about launching a web-based streaming service that would bundle approximately 25 channels for $30 to $40 per month, but content owners have been reluctant to give up control of the living room up to this point.
For now, fourth-generation Apple TV owners can stream select on-demand content from tvOS apps like ABC News, CNNgo, Fox NOW, HBO NOW, MLB.TV Premium, NBC Sports Live Extra, PBS, PBS Kids, USA NOW, Watch ABC and WatchESPN, but most require authenticating with a cable or satellite TV subscription.
A new report out of China today points to an earlier than expected trial production of the unannounced "Apple Watch 2," expected to begin as soon as the end of January. According to Taiwanese website Commercial Times (via G for Games), the second generation of the Apple Watch will be manufactured by Quanta, which was also responsible for last year’s production of the original smartwatch.
Despite today's report of Quanta's eagerness to begin production on the Apple Watch 2, a rumor back in November suggested the company had a "weaker than expected" profit return on the original Apple Watch. As such, Apple may be searching for new suppliers of the device (in addition to keeping on Quanta to take the brunt majority of the line), including Foxconn, Wistron, and Inventec.
Although it has yet to be confirmed by Apple, rumors regarding the new Apple Watch include a thinner case, FaceTime camera, and an upgraded Wi-Fi chip for more independence from the iPhone. This week it was discovered that Apple has posted four job listings centered around health technologies, suggesting possible improvements on the first generation Apple Watch's health and fitness features.
Last Friday, Tim Cook and representatives from other Silicon Valley companies met with White House officials to discuss how to counter the use of social media by terrorist groups to recruit new members. In that meeting, Cook criticized the White House for its stance on encryption, reportsThe Intercept.
Apple CEO Tim Cook lashed out at the high-level delegation of Obama administration officials who came calling on tech leaders in San Jose last week, criticizing the White House for a lack of leadership and asking the administration to issue a strong public statement defending the use of unbreakable encryption.
Cook told the White House officials that the administration should "come out and say 'no backdoors'" in encryption. The Apple CEO has repeatedly said that backdoors in any sort of encryption create an opening for bad guys to access the private information of consumers.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch responded to Cook by saying a "balance" between privacy and national security was necessary, and that the balance is continually discussed and debated within the administration. Terrorists use encrypted communication apps to recruit and mobilize members, according to a White House briefing document for the meeting obtained by The Intercept.
Last February, Cook spoke about the importance of privacy and security at the White House Cybersecurity Summit. Last month, he spoke to 60 Minutes and once again reiterated Apple's stance for no backdoors in encrypted technologies and how it's important for the company to protect its users' personal information.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Amid an overall decline in worldwide PC shipments, Apple is the sole manufacturer that saw positive shipment growth, according to new PC shipping estimates from Gartner. With worldwide PC shipments from Lenovo, HP, Dell, ASUS, and Acer down, Apple also broke into Gartner's list of top 5 worldwide PC vendors for the first time since Q3 2015.
Gartner's Preliminary Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 4Q15 (Thousands of Units)
During the fourth quarter of 2015, Apple shipped 5.7 million PCs, for 7.5 percent market share. That's up from 5.5 million PCs and 6.7 percent market share in the year ago quarter, for an overall year-over-year growth of 2.8 percent. Worldwide PC shipments totaled 75.7 million units in Q4 2015, an 8.3 percent decline, with Acer and Lenovo seeing some of the biggest drops.
Gartner's Preliminary U.S. PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 4Q15 (Thousands of Units)
In the United States, Apple saw more significant growth of 6.5 percent, shipping an estimated 2.2 million PCs in Q4 2015 for 12.8 percent market share. That's up from 2 million PCs and 11.6 percent market share in Q4 2014. When it comes to U.S. PC shipments, Lenovo saw significant growth with 2.1 million shipments, while ASUS maintained status quo with 1.2 million shipments. HP, Dell, and manufacturers in the "Other" group that comprises non top-5 vendors, all saw a decline in shipments.
Apple's U.S. Market Share Trend: 1Q06-4Q15 (Gartner)
Overall PC sales in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2015 were at 16.9 million, a decline of 3.1 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. According to Gartner, PCs were not a top holiday gift item.
"Holiday sales had a limited impact on PC sales in the U.S. market," Ms. Kitagawa said. "Notebooks were off the top wish list of holiday gifts. Unlike 2014 holiday sales, there were not many holiday mega deals for laptops, especially in value segments. At the same time, consumers' interest shifted to other consumer electronics devices such as TV's and wearables. "
For the full year, Gartner estimates Apple shipped a total of 20.7 million PCs worldwide, ranking the company as the number 5 worldwide PC vendor for 2015. That's up from 19.6 million total in 2014, for a total growth of 5.8 percent and a 7.2 percent share of the market. Lenovo was the market leader in 2015 with 57 million shipments, while HP was second with 52 million and Dell and ASUS were third and fourth with 39 and 21 million shipments, respectively.
IDC also released its own estimates of Apple's worldwide and U.S. PC shipments during the fourth quarter of 2015, which are surprisingly close to Gartner's numbers considering the two firms' estimates typically differ significantly. IDC also estimates Apple shipped 5.7 million PCs during the quarter, for 7.9 percent market share. Like Gartner, IDC ranks Apple as the number 5 worldwide PC vendor.
For U.S. shipments, IDC estimates Apple shipped 2.2 million machines for a 12.7 percent share of the market. Both Gartner and IDC rank Apple as the number three PC vendor in the United States, below HP and Dell. IDC's shipment estimate for the full year also matches Gartner's, with Apple responsible for 20.7 million shipments and 7.5 percent market share, up from 19.6 million shipments and 6.3 percent market share in 2014.
It's important to note that data from Data from Gartner and IDC is preliminary and the numbers can shift. Last year, for example, Gartner predicted PC shipments of 2.1 million and 11.7 percent market share for Apple in 4Q 2014, later revising that number to 2 million shipments and 11.6 percent market share.
Gartner and IDC both position Apple as the sole top vendor that saw positive worldwide growth in 2015, and the same trend could continue into 2016. Apple is expected to refresh many of its Macs during the year, introducing significant upgrades in the form of Skylake processors for most machines.
Online automotive news and information site Autoblog today announced its 2016 Technology of the Year Awards, naming Apple's CarPlay platform as the winner of the Technology of the Year award in the Feature category.
According to Autoblog, its annual awards are designed to honor the best technology features in a vehicle along with the vehicle that showcases "the most transformative, integrated technologies" in the automotive experience. While CarPlay won the Feature award, the Tesla Model S P90D won the car award.
Autoblog named CarPlay as its Feature award winner due to the platform's ease of use and the way it improves the lives of the consumers who use it. Winners were selected based on testing by the Autoblog editorial staff and a guest judge from Engadget.
This year, the winner of the Technology of the Year Feature Award was awarded to Apple CarPlay. "Apple's CarPlay represents the impact technology is having on our connected lives and brings an experience that is easy to use and enhances the lives of consumers who use this product" said Stephen Rouse, Autoblog's Director of Product and Technology.
Introduced in 2014, CarPlay, which brings iOS to in-car infotainment systems and dashboards, is finally becoming a mainstream product as manufacturers have started adding support for the feature into many 2016 vehicles.
CarPlay will be featured in more than 100 new 2016 and 2017 models from 21 auto manufacturers like Audi, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Volvo, and more. The platform is also readily available in aftermarket systems from companies like Pioneer, Kenwood, JBL, and Alpine.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming OS X 10.11.4 beta to public beta testers, just a few days after releasing the 
Apple today released the first beta of an upcoming iOS 9.3 update for public beta testers, just a few days after seeding the iOS 9.3 beta 
Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes reportedly told investors on Monday that he would 
