A decision in the European Commission probe of Ireland's alleged "sweetheart tax deal" with Apple will likely be delayed until after the Irish elections in early 2016, as Financial Times reports the executive cabinet has now requested supplementary questionnaires in the lengthy investigation.
The European Commission began Apple's Irish tax probe in June 2014, and the Brussels-based executive body formally accused the iPhone maker of receiving illegal state aid from Ireland in September 2014. A decision was originally expected earlier this year, but the additional information requested will likely cause further delays.
Apple's tax policies have been scrutinized on numerous occasions over the past three years, as the company is said to utilize multiple subsidiary companies located in the Irish city of Cork to move money around without significant tax penalties. Apple continues to deny any wrongdoing, and Ireland vows to take the European Commission to court over any negative ruling, according to the report.
Apple's Irish tax probe is part of a larger crackdown by the European Commission on possible corporate tax avoidance in EU countries. Earlier this month, the commission reportedly accused McDonald's of "benefiting from arrangements that allowed it to pay no tax on European royalties in Luxembourg," and Fiat and Starbucks were ordered in October to repay up to €30 million in back taxes.
The BBC today launched its BBC iPlayer app for the new Apple TV in the United Kingdom, bringing the popular streaming service from the UK's public broadcaster to Apple's set-top box for the first time. iPlayer had been a notable omission on earlier boxes, but with the new Apple TV supporting a full App Store for third-party apps, there has been increasing demand for the BBC to bring its service to the platform.
Following Apple's unveiling of the new Apple TV at Apple's "Hey Siri" media event, the BBC indicated it had "no plans" at that time to bring iPlayer to the Apple TV, but by the time the new box launched in late October, the broadcaster had changed course and announced iPlayer would be made available "in the coming months."
As her world tour promoting the 2014 album "1989" came to an end this month, singer Taylor Swift took to twitter to announce an upcoming collaboration between herself and Apple Music in the form of a new concert film called "The 1989 World Tour LIVE." The backstage film will be published exclusively on Apple Music on December 20.
The Apple Music exclusive documentary was filmed on one leg of Swift's world tour, at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Austrailia on November 28, 2015. The film will include the singer's entire performance from the Sydney show with surprise musical and celebrity guest stars and "never before seen footage filmed backstage." The singer was known for surprising fans with big-name cameos during the 1989 World Tour, and the Sydney show was no different, including artists like Alanis Morissette, Steven Tyler, and Wiz Khalifa.
Swift and Apple Music had an initially rocky relationship, beginning with the announcement of Apple Music's three-month free trial, which would have seen artists go unpaid for the trial period while users streamed their songs an unlimited amount of times without paying them anything. Swift wrote down her opinion on the matter in an open letter to Apple, subsequently inspiring the Cupertino company to reverse course on the decision and ultimately bringing 1989 to the streaming service over the summer.
With today's announcement of a full feature behind-the-scenes documentary appearing exclusively on Apple Music, and the release of 1989 on the service in June, it seems the previous drama between the singer and Apple is water under the bridge. Fans will be able to watch the film beginning next Sunday on Apple Music, using an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, or Apple TV. Those who want to get a sneak peek can tune into Beats 1 at 9 AM PST tomorrow morning for a discussion between Swift and Zane Lowe regarding the creation of the new movie.
Following in the footsteps of Juli, Joe, Mitchel, Marianne, and even MacRumors readers, I'm now adding my suggestions to the parade of holiday gift guides we've been publishing over the past week. Below you'll find a varied list of accessories that I, Eric Slivka, use on a daily basis. and hopefully there's something here for just about everyone with accessories for Macs, iOS devices, the Apple Watch, and the Apple TV all represented here.
SteelSeries has offered Apple-approved game controllers for some time now, but with the launch of the new Apple TV roughly six weeks ago, interest in such controllers is surging. Fortunately for Apple fans, the SteelSeries Nimbus is a solid option that notably relies on a Lightning port for charging, making it easy to use existing cables and even Apple's iPhone dock to recharge the controller.
Apple has heavily featured the Nimbus alongside the Apple TV, and has equipped demo Apple TV units in its retail stores with the controller. The Nimbus is also included in a Disney Infinity 3.0 starter pack for Apple TV.
Gaming on the Apple TV is still in its early days, but the benefits of a controller over the included Siri Remote are already clear, enabling more precise and varied controls in a package that feels more natural in the hands when gaming. Beyond Apple TV, the Nimbus can also pair with iOS devices, enabling controller functionality for a number of games including Real Racing 3, Oceanhorn, and several titles in the LEGO series.
Make sure to check out our full review of the SteelSeries Nimbus for more details on the controller.
I was skeptical of this one when it first leaked and even once it officially launched, but once I got it in my hands, I was hooked. Yes, it seems expensive, but keep in mind that it includes a 2-meter Lightning cable in the box, an accessory that Apple charges $29 for on its own.
Third-party Apple charging stands with the exception of the $130 combination Apple Watch and iPhone dock from Belkin do not include a charging cable of any sort, requiring users to supply their own Apple Watch charging cables at an additional cost unless they want to commit the sole cable that comes with the watch to that effort.
Unsurprisingly, Apple's dock has a premium feel, with a soft top and a microfiber bottom to prevent scratching. The center charging puck can lay flat or be swung up into a vertical position to charge the Apple Watch on its side, and the mechanism feels smooth and solid. The vertical orientation makes it great for Nightstand mode and for closed-loop bands. And while the disc shape takes up a bit more room than some other Apple Watch stands and docks, it's incredibly stable and with the charging puck folded flat the dock can be easily stored in a drawer or slipped into a bag.
The use of a Lightning cable for powering the dock is also a major advantage over third-party docks reliant on actual Apple Watch cables. I've got Lightning cables all over my house, so it's easy to move this Apple Watch dock anywhere in the house as needed and just plug a Lightning cable into it.
To provide gift ideas for our readers this holiday season, we here at MacRumors have written gift guides based on our own experiences with products we like and recommend to others. If you want to catch up, here are links to the guides published so far: Juli Clover, Joe Rossignol, and Mitchel Broussard.
Here's my selection of gift suggestions based on products I own, use often, and recommend to anyone looking for gift ideas for friends or family:
I first heard about Elevation Lab's iPhone dock through the company's Kickstarter in 2011 and I backed the project there in order to receive one before they were commercially available. The dock, which is made out of a block of solid aluminum, was intended to be heavy enough to easily remove an iPhone with just one hand, and its design complemented Apple's existing products beautifully. I have two Elevation Docks – one at my desk in front of my iMac and another on my nightstand – that I use every single day with my iPhone 6s. Elevation Lab currently offers the Elevation Dock 3 for the iPhone 6/6s and 6 Plus/6s Plus models. It's pricey at $89 but I recommend it if you've got someone who appreciates the Apple design aesthetic and needs a solid, well-made iPhone dock.
I use my iPhone almost constantly most days and I'm oddly paranoid that the battery will die when I actually need it to make an emergency call or something else important. To allay this fear, I like to carry the means to charge my iPhone anywhere. However, I also like to streamline what I carry and prefer multipurpose items when possible, and a combination back-up battery and AC charger made sense. My search led me to Fluxmob's Bolt, which is both a 3,000 mAh battery and an AC charger thanks to its built-in prongs, which stay hidden until you flip them out. The Bolt offers pass-through charging, which means that it can charge both its internal battery and and a connected iPhone at the same time when it's plugged into an outlet, so I never have to worry about charging its battery separately. The Bolt, along with a retractable Lightning cable, are staples in my purse.
At $49.99, it's a reasonably-priced gift for any heavy smartphone user on your gift list. Fluxmob also makes the Bolt2, a larger model with two USB ports and a 6,000 mAh internal battery that costs $79.99.
I still have one of Apple's iPod Hi-Fi speakers use it regularly with my iPhone. Though it can run on batteries and is meant to be somewhat portable, it's not something I can throw in my bag. Jawbone was one of the first companies to release a portable Bluetooth speaker and I loved the idea and its design and bought one a few years ago and it's still one of my most-used accessories. I bring it with me when I travel and have even had family members ask me if I could "accidentally" forget it when I left.
Jawbone no longer makes the original Jambox that I have but you can buy a refurbished one directly from Jawbone for $47.99. The company now makes a smaller Mini Jambox (pictured above) and an extra-large Big Jambox, which cost $129.99 and $199.99 respectively at Jawbone's site at the time of this post.
Though it pains me to admit it, I'm old enough to remember Polaroid cameras and the grainy, chemical-laden instant photos they could print. With my iPhone as my main camera, I wanted something that could duplicate that ability to quickly print a photo and found LG's Pocket Photo printer. It connects to an iPhone via Bluetooth and is managed through LG's Pocket Photo app. It uses inkless paper made by Zink and is small enough to throw in the small messenger bag I normally use every day. It prints 2-inch by 3-inch photos on paper with a peel-and-stick back so they can easily be used for scrapbooking, journals, greeting cards, and more.
LG doesn't sell its Pocket Photo models directly in the US but you can get the latest PD251 model from Newegg for $119.99 (I have the previous generation PD239 model in a glorious Hello Kitty limited edition, thank you very much).
Though the iPhone has step-tracking capabilities, I don't carry it in a pocket consistently enough to use it as a step tracker. Also, I'd prefer my step tracker to be small and unobtrusive and as accurate as possible. After trying a wrist-based tracker, I switched to the Fitbit One a few years ago and it's become an accessory I use every single day and even remember to clip to my pajamas to track my sleep. The companion Fitbit app is easy to use and I like the community aspect, particularly the challenges you can complete with friends, which are surprisingly motivating. I'm not fanatical enough about tracking my steps to take a walk just before midnight to meet my daily goal, but it does help me be cognizant of how active, or inactive, I am every day and plan something to increase my activity if I can.
The Fitbit One costs $99.95 directly from Fitbit, but it's usually around $89 at Amazon.
We have a few more gift guides to publish, so stay tuned. In the meantime, feel free to add your own suggestions or find even more ideas for your own gift shopping lists with our MacRumors gift guide that was curated by readers.
Apple's 42mm Stainless Steel Link Bracelet is arguably the most luxurious Apple Watch band available, but at $449 it may be worth considering similar but less expensive third-party options available. Enter JUUK, a new company that aims to fill that niche with its lineup of Revo stainless steel link bracelets for under $200.
JUUK, pronounced "juke," is a watch company created by Eugene Ho, a Canadian with nearly two decades of experience in the watch industry. Ho, who moved to Hong Kong in 1997 to establish Pacific Watchworks, has worked on popular brands including Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, Ecko, Reebok and many others.
"During that time, I've developed great relationships with some of the top watch component factories," Ho told MacRumors. "This means that I'm not an Apple accessories vendor trying to make watch bracelets. I'm not a guy coming off the streets trying to make watch bracelets. The watch industry is in my blood, and developing high quality watch components is all that I know professionally."
Revo stainless steel link bracelets for Apple Watch are offered in polished, brushed or gunmetal finishes for between $145 and $195. A trio of 42mm bracelets are available to ship immediately, while 38mm bracelet pre-orders will ship in late January 2016. 42mm polished or brushed spare links are also available for $12 each.
Given the popular adage "you get what you pay for," this review will take a closer look at the design and fit of the 42mm Polished Revo model, $195, to see how it compares to Apple's 42mm Stainless Steel Link Bracelet.
Design
JUUK's 42mm Revo has a premium look and feel. The link bracelet is crafted from 316L stainless steel, the same grade used by Apple and many Swiss watchmakers, and this particular model has a lustrous all-polished finish. The modern design closely matches the stainless steel Apple Watch's polished case, but like other bracelets of its kind, it collects fingerprints easily and is more susceptible to surface scratches.
In my two weeks of testing the Revo, being careful not to graze it on any hard surfaces, the bracelet still collected some surface scratches visible in natural light. The underside of the Revo is brushed to better hide those blemishes, a common practice in the watch industry for polished bracelets, but opting for the 42mm Brushed Revo entirely may be the better option for Apple Watch users who are less vigilant.
While Apple began selling "Made for Apple Watch" lugs for official third-party bands in October, the Revo has unofficial adapters on each end of the link bracelet that slide into the Apple Watch casing with ease. The adapters have locking mechanisms on the underside that must be pressed in for a secure fit. Some third-party Apple Watch lugs do not fit very well, so I was pleased this bracelet worked without any issues.
Otono Networks today announced the launch of AlwaysOnline Wireless, a global LTE roaming network exclusively for iPads with Apple SIM. The roaming network will be available in 45 countries, but will expand to additional countries in the future.
AlwaysOnline will offer LTE data plans starting from $0.99 an hour for 15 MB, and users can pay by hour, day or megabyte. Otono CEO Emir Aboulhosn says that the company wants to offer short-term data plans for times customers "really need connectivity on-the-go" like if they need to "catch up on email in the car" or "get directions to their next meeting."
AlwaysOnline's roaming network is available in countries like Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia and more. However, the network's plans aren't available to the residents of the majority of the countries listed. The full list can be seen on AlwaysOnline's website.
Last year, Apple introduced the Apple SIM with cellular models of the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 sold in the United States and United Kingdom. The Apple SIM allows users to easily move between networks, taking advantage of short-term data deals when needed. More recently, the cellular models of the iPad mini 4 and iPad Pro have included Apple SIM support. The Apple SIM can now be purchased in 13 countries.
Earlier this year, Apple agreed to a deal with mobile connectivity company GigSky to bring Apple SIM cellular data plans to over 90 countries. While GigSky offers short-term data deals in more countries than AlwaysOnline, the latter offers even shorter-term data deals, enabling users to purchase hour and day-long plans.
Over the past week, we've been sharing some of the favored Apple-related accessories that our editors and writers use on a daily basis, but we also wanted to highlight the best products that our readers and forum members use on a daily basis.
We asked for your suggestions in our MacRumors 2015 Holiday Gift Guide Master List post, and then organized those picks by category. We're going to keep building this list, so make sure to mention your favorite product in the comments and we'll add it to the guide.
We've organized this list into categories by product and added a short description of each item.
iPhone
Tech21 Cases - Tech21 is known for its high-quality, highly protective cases, which are also sold in Apple Stores. Available in a range of price points, there are cases to fit the iPhone 4s and up. Prices range from $35 to $100, for the company's battery case. Tech21 also makes cases for Macs and iPads. Tech21 products are available from Apple and some are available at cheaper prices from Amazon.
MyCharge Rapid Recharge external battery - Recommended by our own Arnold Kim, the Rapid Recharge is a 4,000 mAh external battery that fits in a pocket and has outlet prongs built right in. It's priced at $70. There's also a larger 8,000 mAh version for those that need more power, priced at $120.
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass Screen Protectors - Recommended by MacRumors forum moderator Maflynn, Zagg's InvisibleShield screen protectors are available for a wide variety of devices, from the newest iPhones to the newest iPads. The glass version is made from fortified tempered glass for superior scratch protection and better clarity. Prices for Zagg's screen protectors start at $35 on its website, but can be often be found cheaper on Amazon.
Anker PowerCore 20100 - This Anker battery pack is good for charging your iOS devices, iPads, and more. At a 20,100 mAh capacity, it's going to be good for several uses, and it has dual 2.4 amps ports to charge two devices at once. The best part? It's super affordable at $40. Get it from Amazon.
iPad
Apple Smart Cases - Apple's Smart Cases are available for the earlier iPad minis and iPad Air 2. They offer full front and back protection for the iPad, merging a Smart Cover with a protective back case. There's a similar case for the iPad Pro, but it only protects the back of the device and needs to be paired with a separate Smart Cover. With prices starting at $69, Apple's Smart Cases aren't cheap, but they're high quality and make for a nice gift.
Logitech AnyAngle iPad Air 2 Case - Also a pick from Arnold Kim, the Logitech AnyAngle iPad Air 2 case offers full built-in protection and multiple viewing angles for watching videos or typing. Arn says it's a bit heavy and bulky, but stable enough to allow for typing on the screen and versatile enough with the adjustable cover. There's also a version for the iPad Pro and the iPad mini 4. The AnyAngle for the iPad Air 2 is priced at $60 and it's also available from Amazon.
Joli Originals iPad Sleeves - Joli Originals makes high-quality Dutch wool and Italian leather sleeves for the iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and older iPad models. Each one is unique and handcrafted in Amsterdam, and they're available in several different colors. This one ships from Europe, so order early if you want to get it as a gift. Pricing starts at $63 and goes up to $99, depending on model. Joli also makes sleeves for MacBooks and iPhones.
Logitech K810/K811 Keyboard - The Logitech K810 and K811 keyboards were popular with MacRumors readers for their versatility. They're able to connect to up to three Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them as needed, plus they have built-in backlighting. The K810 works with Windows, Android, and iOS devices, while the K811 works with Mac and iOS devices. The K810 is available for $100 from Logitech, but you can get it for $74 on Amazon. The K811 is available for $99 on Logitech's website or $84 on Amazon.
Apple Watch
Monowear Apple Watch Bands - Monowear sells a wide selection of bands designed for the Apple Watch, at prices cheaper than Apple offers. There are attractive bands made from leather, nylon, and metal at prices that start at $60.
MacBook
Mountie iPad Mount - TenOneDesign's Mountie is designed to allow an iPad or iPhone to be mounted on a MacBook's screen using a clamp, where it can be used as a second display. This was a particularly popular product on the forum and it works with the iPhone 4 and later, the iPad Air 2, all iPad minis, and all MacBooks. The Mountie is available for $19 from TenOneDesign or $18 from Amazon.
General
Pencil from FiftyThree - There's an official stylus for the iPad Pro, but it doesn't work with other iPhones or iPads. While there are a lot of styluses to choose from, FiftyThree's Pencil is a standout that was recommended by a MacRumors reader. The Pencil integrates with a bunch of iOS apps, including FiftyThree's popular Paper app, offering pressure sensitivity and palm rejection. It's priced at $50 from FiftyThree, but available for as low as $40 on Amazon.
Astro Bluetooth Speaker - The forum member who recommended the Astro Bluetooth Speaker liked it for its Pure Audio feature that controls distortion through hardware instead of software. The Astro Speaker is slim and attractive with a price tag of $179.
Make sure to check out our other gift guides, each curated by a MacRumors staff member, and keep an eye out for a few gift guides we still have coming next week.
Juli's Gift Guide: Philips Hue, UE Roll Speaker, Pressed Flower iPhone Cases, Canvas Smart Desk, and More
Joe's Gift Guide: 64GB iPhone 6s on T-Mobile, V-MODA Crossfade Wireless Headphones and More
Mitchel's Gift Guide: Pad & Quill Accessories, HoverBar for iPad, Beats Pill, and More
There's a range of Made for iPhone-compatible Apple-approved Bluetooth controllers available, all of which will work with the new Apple TV, but the SteelSeries Nimbus is the only controller that was designed specifically for the Apple TV in partnership with Apple.
As such, it's been heavily marketed by Apple and it's sold alongside the Apple TV as an accessory in Apple Stores. We went hands-on with the SteelSeries Nimbus to figure out whether it's worth its $50 price tag and if it's a must-have gaming accessory for the new fourth-generation Apple TV.
Design
The Nimbus is similar in size and design to the Stratus XL, an earlier controller SteelSeries released. It looks like a cross between an Xbox One controller and a PlayStation 4 controller, with a shape that's close to the Xbox controller but a PlayStation-style layout. It's also very similar to many existing Made for iPhone controllers like the popular Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i.
If you've used one Made for iPhone controller, you've essentially used them all. The Nimbus is not much different than the rest of the available controllers on the market, so choosing a controller to purchase really comes down to preference for things like size, button layout, trigger shape, and overall design.
On the Nimbus, there's a d-pad at the top, located across from four action buttons. Two analog joysticks sit at the bottom, adjacent to one another as on the PS4 controller. In the middle, there's a large Menu button, and at the back, there's a Bluetooth button, a Lightning port for charging, and a "Hold" button that toggles the power on and off. There are two triggers on each side, along with shoulder buttons above those.
A lot of early Made for iPhone controllers were expensive and had a poor build quality, but over the last several months, things have improved. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the SteelSeries Nimbus, especially at it's $50 price point. It has a solid feel in the hand and it seems like a product that's going to hold up well to years of heavy use.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Anker. For those of you unfamiliar with Anker, the company has a lot of fans on the MacRumors forums and across the Internet (check out their Facebook page) thanks to its wide range of inexpensive, quality products. For our giveaway, Anker is providing 20 MacRumors readers with its new super durable 3-ft PowerLine Lightning cables paired with a 3,350 mAh PowerCore+ mini external battery.
Anker's PowerLine Lightning cables are designed to be ultra durable, built with bulletproof Kevlar fiber with reinforced stress points to hold up to daily abuse. Unlike Apple's cables, Anker's aren't going to tear, fray, or otherwise break. Anker says these have a 5000+ bend lifespan, making them more durable than other cables on the market.
The PowerLine cable uses dual-layer sheathing with an inner layer of braided copper that's thicker than what's used in OEM cables to reduce cable resistance. According to Anker, its cable offers the fastest possible charge and sync speeds with any USB charger. The Anker PowerLine cable comes in 3-foot lengths for $9.99 and 6-foot lengths for $14.99, with both available in multiple colors.
Anker's also giving away its classic tube-shaped PowerCore+ mini, a portable 3,350 mAh battery with enough power to charge up the iPhone 6s to full and add quite a bit of extra juice to the iPhone 6s Plus. Anker's PowerCore+ mini is available for $9.99. Along with these two products, Anker sells a whole slew of useful accessories for charging Macs and iOS devices that are worth checking out on Amazon.
20 MacRumors readers will be able to win a 3-ft PowerLine Lightning cable and a PowerCore+ mini from Anker. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize.
You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page. Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter.
The contest will run from today (December 11) at 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time through 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time on December 18. The winners will be chosen randomly on December 18 and will be contacted by email. The winners have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen. The prizes will be shipped to the winners for free.
Update: For MacRumors readers who did not win the giveaway, Anker is offering a discount on its 3-ft PowerLine Lightning cable, dropping the price to $6.99. Enter the code 8IVAMR9D when checking out on Amazon.com through 12/31.
Apple today released a minor iTunes update for OS X El Capitan users, which brings the desktop version of Apple Music in line with the recently released iOS 9.2 version of Apple Music. The update adds support for works, composers, and performers when listening to Classical music in Apple Music, and it brings general stability and performance improvements.
This update allows you to see works, composers, and performers while browsing Classical music in the Apple Music catalog. It also includes stability and performance improvements.
Today's update is available for all OS X El Capitan users and follows iTunes 12.3.1, a minor update that was released in October.
Throughout the week, MacRumors writers and editors have been sharing their gift guides to help our readers pick out the best surprises for everyone on their holiday list this year. Following Juli and Joe, today's my turn to detail a list of Apple-related products perfect for gift giving.
This third gift guide was written by me, Mitchel Broussard, with a focus on the third-party accessories I tend to use the most. Outside of that realm, there's a handful of items here that I don't own, but which I've had my eyes on over the years and that I've heard positive things about from friends and family. All-in-all, everything in the guide should satisfy the Apple Watch, MacBook, iPad, and iPhone owners on your own personal shopping list.
Apple Watch Gift Ideas
One of the best third-party Apple accessory manufacturers is Pad & Quill, whose products are well worth investing in if you're willing to spend a little extra money. With a big focus on products made from natural leathers and woodgrains, the company's entire lineup is infused with a homemade, natural feel that tends to gel nicely with Apple's slick design. I thankfully got a few of their Apple Watch products in to review this year, and I've stuck with using most on a daily basis.
The Pad & Quill Timber Nightstand is the go-to home base for my Apple Watch. Its footprint is compact enough to fit on a small bedside table, but roomy enough to provide extra space for a band or two to hang out behind the charging cradle. The stand comes in two attractive color options (I have the lighter American Cherry, but Exotic Sapele will be perfect for those who prefer a darker stand) and supports Nightstand Mode, along with both closed-loop and open-loop bands.
The Timber Nightstand (left) and Timber Catchall (right)
Even with all of that aside, my favorite part of the Timber Nightstand is its sturdiness; it feels solid and substantial, despite its small 4.7 by 6.2 inch frame. Still, if you're looking for bigger, Pad & Quill sells the somewhat massive Timber Catchall as well, which will net you a resting spot for your iPhone and a nook for change or keys for about $10 more than the Timber Nightstand (both models vary in price, depending on wood grain).
On the wearable side, Pad & Quill's Classic Apple Watch Band is a nice alternative to Apple's Classic Buckle, and at $99 you can save around $50 if choosing to go with Pad & Quill's leather band. I wore the Chocolate Leather version pretty much daily during the early fall months and genuinely loved the look of it. Like most true leather products, the band begins to fold and crack and fade over the weeks to give it a personal, used-in quality. Although it may not have the Classic Buckle's clean edges and slim clasping mechanism, it's arguably the second-best high-quality leather Apple Watch band out there right now.
The Classic Apple Watch Band in Chocolate by Pad & Quill
Check out the Lowry Leather Band ($109.95) and Lowry Leather Cuff ($129.95) for alternative, more intricate designs. All of the company's bands are sitting in pre-order states currently, but are promised to arrive before Christmas. The Classic Band option I first mentioned also lets you choose the metal color to match the Apple Watch's casing, so be sure to know whether the person on your list has a stainless steel or space black stainless steel Apple Watch.
The Lowry Leather Band (left) and Lowry Leather Cuff (right)
Apple appears to be rolling out a new feature in its App Store on iOS to note when an app available on iOS is universally compatible with the fourth generation Apple TV. As pointed out by iFun.de [Google Translate], the new feature is still in the early phases, as universal compatibility with the Apple TV is currently marked as "SF.UniversalAppleTV" rather than a simple "Apple TV" title as is used for Apple Watch just above. The new identifier is also not yet showing in the App Store when viewed through iTunes on the desktop.
With the growing popularity of the App Store on Apple TV, it makes sense for Apple to want to begin connecting the iOS and tvOS experience as they did when introducing universal iPhone and iPad apps in 2010 and with the addition of the Apple Watch earlier this year. Following its launch in October, Apple began running a new advertising campaign for the Apple TV, which it continues to expand with television shows like Game of Thrones and Veep.
Apple allows developers to build universal apps that support iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV all from one purchase, so it makes sense to provide users with information on what platforms are included when they prepare to download a new app.
AT&T on Friday launched a new "Buy One Get One Free" promotion for the Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5 and select other Samsung smartphones, and MacRumors has learned the deal also applies to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
Beginning today until December 31, 2015, AT&T customers who activate or upgrade to an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus on AT&T Next are eligible to receive a second 16GB iPhone 6s for free, or a $650 bill credit towards the purchase of another iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus model.
The $650 bill credit is spread out into 28 or 30 monthly payments. AT&T Next 24 customers will receive $21.67 over 30 months, while AT&T Next customers with a down payment will receive $23.22 over 28 months, both totaling $650.
Any down payments are due at the time of sale, and monthly bill credits will appear within 2-3 bill cycles. The first payment will be a lump sum of any AT&T Next payments to that date. The original AT&T line must remain in good standing for eligibility.
AT&T has not publicly advertised its "Buy One Get One Free" deal for the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, but customers should be able to visit participating AT&T stores or contact the carrier otherwise to learn more, including exact terms and conditions.
Walmart has begun selling the Apple Watch Sport and accessories through its online store for U.S. customers. The discount retailer is currently only carrying 38mm and 42mm Sport models in Silver or Space Gray for $349 to $399 alongside the Apple Watch Sport Band and Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable.
Walmart joins a growing number of Apple Watch resellers carrying the wrist-worn device in the U.S. since its April launch, including Best Buy, B&H Photo, Maxfield, Sprint, Target, T-Mobile and dozens of other retailers nationwide. The device is not yet available in Walmart stores, but in-store pickup is available for online orders.
Unlike Best Buy, which is offering $100 off the Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch, Walmart is not offering any discounts on the Apple Watch or accessories at this time. Best Buy, Colette and Target also offered Black Friday deals on the Apple Watch, leading to some discussion about how well the Apple Watch is selling.
Walmart offers free shipping on orders over $50 in the U.S., and in-store pickup is currently estimated to take about one week.
Apple this week has encouraged customers to trade in and upgrade to a new iPhone through its website, email and an App Store banner advertisement.
Apple's new section on its iPhone website reminds customers about trading in their current smartphone at the Apple Store or online through partner Brightstar for up to $320 instant credit. Apple accepts the iPhone 4 or later for trade in.
Apple's website, left, and email, right, promoting iPhone upgrades this week
Apple's mass email to U.S. customers promotes the iPhone Upgrade Program and shares details about how the financing program works. The email also provides similar details about trading in a smartphone for up to $320 instant credit.
Apple has also made the controversial decision to advertise the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus to older iPhone users directly in the App Store, with a pop-up banner advertisement that can be dismissed by tapping on "skip" in the top-right corner.
App Store banner advertising the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
iPhones are one of the hottest gifts during the holiday shopping season, so it is unsurprising that Apple is pushing its latest smartphones at this time of the year alongside free shipping, extended returns and complimentary gift wrapping. Undoubtedly, though, the move will also stir discussion about iPhone sales.
Mercedes-Benz has issued an internal announcement to U.S. dealers (via C450 AMG) that confirms CarPlay will be supported in a number of 2016 model year vehicles starting with December 1, 2015 or January 8, 2016 production or later.
CarPlay can be controlled using the central controller or touchpad, if equipped, on supported Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Siri voice commands can be activated by pressing the voice control button on the steering wheel.
CarPlay works with compatible iPhones plugged into a specific USB port on supported Mercedes-Benz vehicles, labeled "2" below on the right.
Apple CarPlay® will be a completely different interface than the customary Mercedes-Benz infotainment. The customer will not be able to use the Mercedes-Benz headunit functions at the same time as CarPlay®. For example, use of the Spotify app cannot be done simultaneously with COMAND Navigation.
CarPlay is available in 2016 CLA, GLA and B-Class vehicles with December 1, 2015 production or later as a standalone $350 package or "Multimedia Package with Smartphone Integration" upgrade.
Apple's in-dash software is also available in the 2016 E400 Coupe, E550 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E550 Cabriolet and CLS400 Coupe with December 1, 2015 production or later with the "Premium 1" or "Premium 2" equipment package ($3,650-$4,080).
CarPlay is included standard with COMAND Navigation in 2016 CLS550 Coupe and CLS63 S Coupe models with December 1, 2015 production or later, and 2016 GLE400, GLE450 Coupe, GLE63 and GLE63 S models with January 8, 2016 production or later.
CarPlay provides hands-free or eyes-free access to Maps, Phone, Messages, Music, Podcasts and other third-party apps including Spotify, Rdio, iHeartRadio, CBS Radio and MLB At Bat. The platform also uses Siri voice control and interfaces with your vehicle's knobs, dials and buttons for safer access to common iPhone features.
CarPlay is or will soon be available in a wide range of 2016 U.S. vehicles from Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ferrari, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. Apple lists over a dozen other committed CarPlay partners on its website.
CarPlay is compatible with the iPhone 5 or later running iOS 8 or newer.
While iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users can share Live Photos with each other through services like iMessage, the hybrid image / video can't be easily shared to social networks. Today, Tumblr updated its iOS app with Live Photos support, making it the first major social network to do so.
As TechCrunchnotes, Tumblr users tend to upload, share, and re-share GIFs and other kinds of animated images, including memes, at a rapid rate, likely making Tumblr the first place where Live Photos would be widely seen and viewed.
The app was also updated with 3D Touch support. Now, users can press down on the app's icon to search the service from their home screen, activate Live Photos, and peek and pop into other users' Tumblrs by clicking on their name or avatar. While Tumblr does support Live Photos, they're only viewable within its iOS app. Other updates to the Tumblr app include the ability to send a post to any Tumblr user and messaging.
Tumblr for iOS is available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
A decision in the European Commission probe of Ireland's alleged "sweetheart tax deal" with Apple will likely be delayed until after the Irish elections in early 2016, as Financial Times reports the executive cabinet has now requested supplementary questionnaires in the lengthy investigation.
Otono Networks today 
Apple today released a minor iTunes update for OS X El Capitan users, which brings the desktop version of Apple Music in line with the recently released iOS 9.2 version of Apple Music. The update adds support for works, composers, and performers when listening to Classical music in Apple Music, and it brings general stability and performance improvements.
AT&T on Friday launched a new 
