A rare fully functional Apple-1 Personal Computer sold for $365,000 at an auction in New York today, reports Reuters. The computer, which Steve Jobs originally sold out of his parents' garage in 1976 for $600, was expected to sell for much more, with initial estimates placing its value at $400,000 to $600,000.
In 1999, the machine auctioned off today was purchased by Bruce Waldack, an entrepreneur who had funds after selling his company, DigitalNation. Following his death in 2007, the Apple-1 went on to be auctioned at a storage facility in Virginia, where Robert Luther purchased it, along with the original buyer's canceled check from 1976.
The Apple-1 was sold alongside that canceled check, which was made out to Apple Computer from Charles Ricketts, who labeled it "Purchased July 1976 from Steve Jobs in his parents' garage in Los Altos." A second accompanying check for $193 was labeled "Software NA Programmed by Steve Jobs August 1976."
An expert tested the Apple-1 to ensure that it was fully operational and able to run the standard original software program, Microsoft BASIC, along with an original Apple-1 Star Trek game.
Other working Apple-1 computers have sold for far more in the past. Recently, the Henry Ford Museum paid $905,000 for an original Apple-1, and in 2013, an auction that included a working Apple-1 and a letter written by Steve Jobs went for $671,400. Less than 50 Apple-1 computers are believed to be in existence today, of the few hundred that were originally constructed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
While customers are looking forward to the launch of the Apple Watch early next year, there have been several other Apple-branded watches over the years typically offered as promotional items, and one of those items from nearly 20 years ago is making a comeback.
A limited number of these Apple watches from 1995 were kept by a distributor and have now been made available for sale, priced from $99-$129 depending on condition, and all watches come with a new battery. While they lack any advanced features, the watches with their quirky design may be of interest to some collectors.
The 1995 Apple-branded watch was originally offered as a promotional item to encourage users to upgrade their Macs to System 7.5. In an offer running from May through July of 1995, users purchasing System 7.5 could receive an Apple watch or a copy of third-party extensions and control panel manager Conflict Catcher 3 as a free gift. System 7.5 had debuted in September 1994 and with bug fixes served as the Mac operating system until the release of Mac OS 7.6 in early 1997.
Two decades later, the watches are back with limited launch-week pricing through the weekend starting at $99 for units with minor blemishes and ranging up to $129 for those considered "flawless". The launch-week promo includes free shipping in the U.S. with delivery by Christmas, and discounted shipping internationally.
Update: Stock of the "flawless" units appears to be quickly running low, with pricing now at $199.
Update 2: The watches are now completely sold out, although a "single digit" number may become available once stock is reassessed following the initial flurry of orders.
Eight days after releasing and then quickly pulling Safari 8.0.1 for OS X Yosemite, Apple today released Safari 8.0.2 to the public.
The release notes for Safari 8.0.2 are identical to those for Safari 8.0.1 except for the addition of a line noting the problems with the 8.0.1 release.
- Fixes a rare issue in which some users were unable to access Safari after installing the 8.0.1 update.
Other bundled changes from Safari 8.0.1 include fixes for syncing history across devices, autofilling saved passwords, WebGL performance on Retina displays, and Firefox username and password import.
Update: Apple has also released Safari 7.1.2 for OS X Mavericks and Safari 6.2.2 for OS X Mountain Lion.
Apple recently updated its Made for iPhone (MFi) licensing guidelines for case manufacturers, requiring all future cases designed for the iPhone to protect the device from falls up to one meter on hard surfaces.
As described by sources that spoke to 9to5Mac, to comply with Apple's new guidelines, case manufacturers will need to ensure that a 1 meter (or 3.2 foot) drop from any orientation will not cause any damage to the phone, on its front, back, or sides.
Cases are also required to protect the iPhone's glass screen when laying face down on a surface, with a lip that offers a buffer of at least 1mm between the glass display and the surface or a case that covers the display entirely. Apple's own iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases are compliant with these requirements, providing both drop protection and a ridge around the edges of the device to protect the display.
Apple has also updated its guidelines with several environmentally hazardous materials that are no longer able to be used in the construction of iPhone cases, including formaldehyde (used in paints and adhesives), phthalates (plasticizer used for increased flexibility), perfluorooctane sulfonate (fluorosurfactant), perfluorooctanoic acid (fluorosurfactant), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (a flame retardant), and polybrominated biphenyls (a flame retardant). Many of these substances are already restricted in both the United States and in Europe.
Apple's MFi licensing program requires manufacturers that create iPhone and iPad accessories to comply with a strict set of guidelines to achieve certification that ensures the accessory meets Apple's performance standards.
The MFi program enables third-party manufacturers to use of Apple technology like the headphone jack, the Lightning connector, and more, and compliance allows manufacturers to use the "Made for iPhone" logo on their packaging, which ensures consumers that accessories work properly with the iPhone and iPad.
Earlier this week, file management app Transmit from developer Panic gained some attention after Apple required the company to remove a key sharing feature that let files be sent to multiple services like Dropbox and iCloud Drive.
Apple's concern was Transmit's ability to send files to iCloud Drive, which it said violated one of the iOS Data Storage Guidelines. Apple asked Panic to remove the feature, but unfortunately, due to an unalterable Share Sheet, sending files to iCloud Drive was tied to sending files to other services, requiring the company to completely remove the feature from the app.
Unalterable Share Sheet in iOS 8
Shortly after several news sites wrote about the confusing position Panic had been put in with its Transmit app, Apple called the developers and confirmed that the sharing functionality could be reinstated. According to Panic, a new version of Transmit has been submitted to the App Store, which includes a restored "Send To" feature that will once again allow the app to send files to iCloud Drive, Dropbox, and other third-party apps.
Update: late Wednesday we got a nice call from Apple. We have resubmitted Transmit iOS with "Send To" (iCloud Drive et al.) restored.
— Panic Inc (@panic) December 11, 2014
This is the second time that Apple has reversed course on an App Store decision that received significant negative attention in recent months. In late October, Apple told PCalc that it would need to remove its calculator widget from the Notification Center, but a day later, the company changed its mind and opted to allow calculator widgets to remain in the Notification Center.
Apple has a large team of app reviewers and somewhat ambiguous guidelines on several new iOS 8 developer features. This has led to many app use cases that the company did not anticipate causing several contradictory and confusing removal requests in recent months for features that were previously approved. Though PCalc and Transmit have been allowed to retain their functionality, other apps like Neato, Drafts, and Launcher have not been so lucky.
After being nominated for TIME's Person of the Year award, and subsequently losing out to the "Ebola Fighters", Apple CEO Tim Cook today was namedFinancial Times' Person of the Year.
In its announcement, Financial Times cited the huge burden of following in Steve Jobs' footsteps as one of Cook's biggest accomplishments this year, saying the CEO "held his nerve through attacks from activist investors and a loss of faith among some that Apple could succeed without its late founder."
The newspaper also pointed to Cook's infusion of new blood and ideas into the company as one of the driving forces behind Apple's big year. In particular, FT highlights the establishment of Cook's own values and priorities at the company, altering how Apple manages its financial side, and a newfound focus on relevant social issues, including his own sexuality, as some of the biggest moments.
It was a rare glimpse into his closely guarded personal life that also put at risk Apple’s brand in less tolerant parts of the world. Mr Cook was driven to take a stand by his experiences growing up in Alabama, where he has talked of seeing discrimination that “literally would make me sick”.
Financial Times also pointed to Cook's non-gender biased hiring methods, which included a handful of women for roles traditionallydominated by males. Also of note was Apple's acquisition of Beats, Cook's guidance of the record-breaking success of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and the alreadyubiquitousdiscussion over next year's Apple Watch.
The publication does note critics who point out that Cook isn't as involved in product development as his predecessor, a fact many have cited as a reason why his on-stage persona isn't as lively and engaged as Jobs' when introducing new products and software for the company.
Financial Times looks to Cook's reactions to and solutions for these issues as a positive, however, pointing out that "Mr. Cook is aware of his shortcomings," and that his hiring of former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts and industrial designer Marc Newson will cleverly allow others to provide strengths to offset his weaknesses.
The full Person of the Year article, with a timeline of Apple's 2014 highs and lows, can be read at the Financial Times' official website.
Google is in the process of updating all of its apps with its new Material Design interface guidelines, and as of today, the Google app for iOS has been updated with the new look. Material Design, which Google says is based on ink and paper, uses grid-based layouts, responsive animations, and depth effects to create clean, touchable interface elements.
Along with adding new Material Design animations, the Google app has been updated to take advantage of the larger screens on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and it now displays bigger photos in image search.
Google's update includes more than just design changes, as the app has been completely rebuilt. There's a new "Google" button that lets users search with just one tap anywhere in the app, and Google Maps integration has been added, letting users check out interactive maps and Google Street View within the app. A new "recents" button is also designed to let users keep track of the searches they've conducted.
Introducing the new Google app Completely rebuilt to bring you the best of Google: - Recents--see & return to your recently visited pages - Google button--start a new search with just one tap - Google Maps--explore interactive maps, nearby places & Street View right inside the app (for iPhone)
New look and feel: - Beautiful new Material Design animations - Bigger photos in image search -Looks great on the new iPhone 6 & 6 Plus
With Apple's Watch looming on the horizon, fitness makers are moving to push their services to a variety of individual and corporate customers. The latest band maker to improve its offerings is Jawbone, which this week announced a new program designed to get its UP fitness bands into the office and on the wrists of business people in the US.
The new UP for Groups provides discounts on bulk orders of the fitness trackers, as well as software features to manage and encourage group participation. It is compatible with the existing UP24 tracker, the new UP Move and the upcoming UP3.
Unlike the individualized consumer version of UP, UP for Groups allows administrators to work with large groups of participants. Admins can view aggregated statistics to see when their employees need to move and send out timely activity reminders to the group. Participants can take part in group challenges and view their group's statistics with an emphasis on the number of active participants in a group and not the number of steps walked by each member.
The new UP for Groups is part of a growing movement to address obesity in adults using feedback from fitness trackers. Jawbone competitor Fitbit already has a corporate fitness program, while Misfit is partnering with the Oscar insurance company on a rewards program for subscribers with healthy habits.
Apple's upcoming Watch is expected to kick off a further explosion of interest in fitness trackers when it is released in 2015. Increased consumer interest will open new doors in the health field with Apple reportedly in talks with insurance companies, hospitals and other health institutions about its HealthKit initiative and iOS Health app. Apple already is partnering with the Mayo Clinic and electronic health record company Epic Systems, and more partnerships are undoubtedly in the works.
The Iowa Department of Transportation will begin allowing customers the option of receiving their newly issued driver's licenses via a mobile app on their smartphones, reports The Des Moines Register.
The app, set to launch next year, will be available to customers at no additional cost and will include all of the necessary information a traditional plastic license includes.
During a state agency budget hearing this past Monday, DOT Director Paul Trombino reassured Iowa Governor Terry Branstad about the upcoming launch of the pioneering digital ID system.
"We are really moving forward on this," Trombino said. "The way things are going, we may be the first in the nation."
Trombino assured that those wanting to stick with a traditional plastic ID will have the option to do so, but that the new digital license will be widely supported throughout the state, including "Iowa law enforcement officers during traffic stops and by security officers screening travelers at Iowa's airports." The new smartphone app was called "an Identity Vault app" and is promised to be highly secure, with customers using a PIN number for verification.
More than thirty states, including Iowa, already accept digital copies of proof of insurance during traffic stops, so a driver's license as a smartphone app is the next logical step.
DeskConnect today launched Workflow, a universal iOS app billed as a "personal automation tool" that allows users to easily create workflows to accomplish various tasks such as creating animated GIFs from a series of photos, grabbing images from a web page, automatically cross-posting photos to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram in one step, and more.
Workflow contains over 100 different actions users can combine in their own custom workflows, or users can select from a gallery of pre-populated workflows focused on various topics. The gallery includes a number of sample workflows at launch, and users can submit their own for inclusion.
Sample workflows from the gallery
The app's simple drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to build workflows, which can be initiated from within in the app, saved to the home screen as a web URL that launches the specified workflow, or launched from other apps through a share sheet extension.
Interestingly, Workflow originally contained a Notification Center widget that allowed users to launch workflows, but as with a number of other developers, DeskConnect ran into issues with Apple's restrictions on what types of content can be presented in Notification Center widgets and the feature had to be removed. Still, Workflow offers a number of handy options for accomplishing tasks of varying complexity, pulling together different types of inputs and actions to greatly simplify multi-step tasks that would normally see users manually switching between several apps to accomplish.
Workflow is available now at an introductory price of $2.99 for a limited time. [Direct Link]
In a blog post by Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of the Developer Division S. Somasegar, the company today announced the acquisition of HockeyApp, a service for app developers that provides crash reports, distribution help, and various testing features.
Initially created for in-house use only by the Germany-based HockeyApp team, the service quickly branched out into a widely-used platform by app developers across iOS, Windows Phone, and Android platforms, including Microsoft itself.
Microsoft has been a HockeyApp customer with many apps since the early days back in 2011, so they were already familiar with the stability and quality of our service. Creating the best developer experience is key to both Microsoft and HockeyApp, this includes industry delivering leading tools for the major mobile platforms: iOS, Android and Windows. We saw the potential of the added abilities and resources of Microsoft to make our platform even better. It may sound cliché, but it really does feel like a match made in heaven.
Microsoft's announcement states that the company plans to "integrate HockeyApp into the Application Insights service in Visual Studio Online to expand Application Insights support for iOS and Android," expanding the Application Insights service beyond server platforms.
Microsoft also promised that the upcoming months will see further collaboration between the two companies, with new iOS and Android SDKs for Application Insights that will utilize the unique features of HockeyApp. The client and server/cloud-based service offers a 360-degree report on application usage, availability, and performance that both companies hope the HockeyApp integration could bring to all mobile platforms.
Desktop and mobile apps for HockeyApp are available for developers right now, with pricing options ranging from monthly to yearly subscriptions. The company promises that existing user accounts will not be negatively affected by the acquisition.
Microsoft today released a suite of five consumer apps under the MSN brand, bringing news, health, and other previously Windows Phone-exclusive apps from the Bing team to the iOS platform (via ZDNet). This launch follows the recent expansion of Microsoft's Office for iOS suite to the iPhone that produced standalone versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to Apple's smartphone devices.
The push to bring these apps to iOS and other platforms like Android is part of larger initiative at Microsoft to drive the adoption of the company's desktop and cloud services by making its mobile apps available across a variety of platforms. This new direction is being spearheaded by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who replaced long-time Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer earlier this year.
Apple and supply partner Quanta Computer have apparently solved its yield issues with various Apple Watch components as the wearable device is now gearing up to enter mass production in January, reports Taiwan's United Daily News (Google Translate, via GforGames). Previously, other sources projected that the Apple Watch would enter mass production at the end of February.
The report notes that this is due to Quanta increasing its number of employees from 2,000 to 10,000, as the company expects to hire 20,000 employees to help with production. Apple is projecting to ship a total of 24 million Apple Watches in 2015. The United Daily News also mentions how a new "iPhone 6s" will likely miss a Spring debut, but that is to be expected as production of a new A9 chip has yet to gear up. The launch would also be unlikely as Apple's iPhones have never launched in the Spring.
Employee comments made after the Apple Watch's debut in September noted that Apple may not be planning to launch the device until February 2015 or later, as the company originally planned to have the watch ready to ship in time for the 2014 holiday season. However, it is now possible that Apple has solved many of the issues surrounding production of the Apple Watch and will make its "early 2015" release projection. When it goes on sale, the Apple Watch will be available in a variety of materials with several different band choices and start at $349.
Apple has announced that it will begin selling LTE versions of both the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 in China beginning this week. Previously, only the Wi-Fi versions of Apple's newest tablets were available in the country.
Apple® today announced that models of iPad Air™ 2 and iPad mini™ 3 with cellular networking will be available in China starting this week. TD-LTE and FDD-LTE standards, as well as TD-SCDMA, DC-HSDPA, HSPA+ and other fast networks, are all available in a single model, giving iPad Air 2 customers in China the ability to stay connected on advanced cellular data networks in China and around the world so they can go more places and do more things.
The cellular iPad Air 2 models are available at 4,488 (RMB) for the 16GB model, 5,188 (RMB) for the 64GB model and 5,888 (RMB) for the 128GB model. The iPad mini 3 is available at 3,788 (RMB) for the 16GB model, 4,488 (RMB) for the 64GB model and 5,188 (RMB) for the 128GB model.
Earlier this year, Apple made the first LTE iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display available for purchase in China.
United Airlines today announced that it plans to distribute Apple's new iPhone 6 Plus to more than 23,000 of its flight attendants during the second quarter of 2015.
The phones will be able to handle "most onboard retail transactions" such as food and drink purchases, and will allow flight attendants to access their email, the United.com website, the United Airlines Intranet, plus policies and procedures manuals.
"We are thrilled to make this investment in our flight attendants," said Sam Risoli, United's senior vice president of inflight services. "iPhone 6 Plus will enable them to deliver an even higher level of flyer-friendly service and will offer our flight attendants simple, one-touch access to valuable work information, enabling them to better serve our customers."
In the future, the iPhone 6 Plus devices used by flight attendants will replace printed safety manuals with electronic versions, allowing for real-time reporting and access to aircraft cabin issues and repairs. United will also develop customer-focused tools to be used on the iPhones.
United Airlines has been an eager adopter of Apple technology in the past, becoming one of the first airlines to distribute iPads to pilots to replace heavy flight bags of navigational charts and other flight materials in 2011. United is planning to renew that program, replacing the original iPads with Apple's newest iPad Air 2 devices.
In addition to rolling out iPhone 6 Plus devices to flight attendants, United is also in the midst of terminal renovations at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport, which will see upgrades that include iPads for customer use.
Currently, supply of Apple's iPhone 6 Plus remains somewhat constrained, with new devices shipping in three to five business days. By mid-2015, however, Apple should have reached supply/demand balance, making it possible for companies like United to deploy the devices on a large-scale basis.
As of this week, Apple has begun offering several new toys in its online Apple Store, including a Barbie from Mattel, a Skylanders game, and a WowWee Robot. The new online-only additions come just ahead of the holiday season and mark Apple's continued efforts to bolster its products aimed at younger children.
The most curious new toy offered in the online Apple Store is a Barbie Fashion Design Maker Doll from Mattel. Sold for $49.95, the Barbie is the first doll that Apple has ever sold and at first glance, appears out of place in the online store. The Barbie is a standard Barbie doll, but it is designed to be used alongside a free app [Direct Link] on the iPad that allows children to create customized clothes on printable fabric sheets.
To start, download the free design software app to your iPad, or visit the website to download to your Mac or PC. Use it to create completely customized designs. Select patterns, colors, and accessories available within the program, and add photos to make a really personal statement. Print your finished and fabulous creations onto the eight enclosed printable fabric sheets -- and watch them go from 2D to 3D.
Along with the Barbie doll, Apple is also now selling the Activision Skylanders Trap Team Starter Pack for the iPad. Available for several months via other outlets like Amazon, the Trap Team Starter Pack brings the popular Skylanders console game experience to the iPad. Much like Barbie, Skylanders is very popular with children.
Apple's third kid-oriented offering added this week is the WowWee MiP Robot, a $99 gesture-controlled toy robot that plays games, dances, battles with other robots, and delivers small items.
Full of personality, WowWee's MiP gesture-controlled robot gives you seven different modes and a free app for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that offers a bunch of games. Swipe your hands in front MiP's eyes to the direction of your choosing and watch him follow suit. Or load up MiP's tray with a can of soda and use the MiP app to deliver it. MiP is a loveable toy your whole family can enjoy.
Apple has long offered a variety of iOS-related toys suitable for both children and adults like the Anki DRIVE and the Sphero, but over the course of the last few months, the company has added several accessories oriented solely at its youngest consumers. Products added in 2014 include the Philips/Disney Friends of Hue StoryLight kit, the Tiggly Shapes toddler game, and the Osmo educational gaming system are all aimed at children.
It is not entirely clear why Apple has boosted its focus on accessories for younger children in recent months, but drawing kids into the Apple Store with iPad and iPhone-oriented toys pushes them into the Apple ecosystem at an early age, potentially allowing the company to create lifelong customers.
The expanded range of toys offered by Apple also lets the company reach a whole new demographic and it may be part of new retail chief Angela Ahrendts' efforts to redesign the Apple retail experience. As noted earlier this year, Apple's new head of retail is aiming to overhaul the end-to-end Apple Store sales experience, reimagining product discovery and improving customer interactions with employees.
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 8.2 to developers, approximately three weeks after releasing the first iOS 8.2 beta.
The beta, build 12D445d, is available immediately to registered developers as an over-the-air update and it can also be downloaded from the iOS Developer Center. Today's update also includes Xcode 6.2 beta 2 with WatchKit.
According to the release notes, iOS 8.2 beta 2 includes fixes for keyboards that may not appear in Safari, Maps, or other third-party apps in iOS simulator and it offers Siri support for Singapore English.
Several WatchKit fixes are bundled in as well, repairing a bug that caused notifications to fail to open an app, an issue that caused WatchKit apps to stop working in iOS 8 simulator, and more.
iOS 8.2 includes the WatchKit SDK, allowing developers to create apps, Glances, and notifications for Apple's upcoming wearable device ahead of its 2015 launch. The first iOS 8.2 beta, with WatchKit SDK and developer documentation, revealed several new details about the Apple Watch, including its heavy reliance on the iPhone and the different types of content developers can create for the device.
Alipay, the payment affiliate of major Chinese marketplace Alibaba, has updated its popular e-payments app to include support for Touch ID on iOS devices, allowing users to authenticate accounts and authorize Alipay payments on compatible iPhone models without the need of a password. The new Touch ID integration will be available on the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus for Alipay's more than 300 million mainland China users, according to a report by China Daily (via Quartz).
The addition of Touch ID authentication for Alipay's iOS app comes after Alibaba CEO Jack Ma and Apple CEO Tim Cook began talks of a China-focused payments partnership last month, although Touch ID app integration is a straightforward process that would not necessarily have required discussions between the two companies to implement.
Though by no means a confirmation, the move does highlight Alibaba's interest in Touch ID for payment security, bolstering hopes for an Apple Pay/Alipay partnership between the two companies down the road. As China's largest e-payment service and with the rampantgrowinginterest of Apple Pay in the United States, the inclusion of Touch ID support could be a hint at Alibaba and Apple's e-payment future together.
As of today, Apple Pay has yet to be made available at all in China or anywhere else outside the United States, as Apple is focusing first on its home market before expanding to other countries. Neil Flynn, a Shanghai-based equity analyst, pointed out the benefits Alibaba could get out of the partnership, namely bolstering Alipay's overseas presence. Apple also stands to benefit from the arrangement as it seeks to increase its presence in the booming Chinese market.
"By teaming up with Alipay, the iPhone is now a more convenient tool for Chinese consumers. In addition, I would imagine that Apple would profit from payments made through Alipay on the iPhone, so it gives Apple access to Chinese consumers," said Flynn, who has been following Alibaba's development for several years.
Apple also has a partnership with Alipay's rival of sorts, UnionPay. Apple announced last month that it would begin allowing UnionPay customers in China the opportunity to use their cards as a payment method in the App Store. Though Apple appears to be hedging its bets, it is clear the company has great interest in growing its e-payments presence in China and elsewhere.
Eight days after releasing and then quickly pulling 
After being 
