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'Social Network' Director David Fincher in Talks to Helm Sony's 'Steve Jobs' Biopic

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David FincherDirector David Fincher is in talks to direct the Aaron Sorkin-scripted Steve Jobs biopic based on Walter Isaacson's biography, claims The Hollywood Reporter. Sorkin last month completed the script for the film, which is said to take place across three 30-minute scenes at three Jobs-led product launches.

Fincher has experience with broad-appeal Silicon Valley films after his Oscar-winning turn with the The Social Network -- also written by Sorkin -- which won three Academy Awards and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Like Zuckerberg, Jobs was a complicated visionary who became a polarizing figure. Under Jobs' watch, Apple revolutionized several business, including personal computers, music, computer-generated animation and mobile phones. In the process, he became known as one of the greatest innovators of his generation. At the same time, he was unapologetic about his difficult personality, was at one point ousted at Apple and was criticized for the harsh treatment of workers in China who assembled Apple products.

Among Fincher's other directing credits include Fight Club, Panic Room, the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and several others.

With Sorkin wrapping the screenplay, Sony's next step will be to sign on a director and then move forward on casting, as no actors are known to be in talks for any roles. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is working as a consultant on the film, which has no potential release date yet.

Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry
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Glucose Sensing Likely Too Challenging to Include in First-Generation iWatch

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Apple's iWatch has been rumored to include a glucose monitoring feature, but how that feature would be implemented is still unknown. One report from earlier this month indicated that a "Healthbook" app under development for iOS 8 will be able "to read glucose-related data," while another report has warned not to expect glucose sensing built directly into the initial iWatch. The two reports are not necessarily conflicting given the possibility of Healthbook interfacing somehow with third-party glucose-monitoring devices, but a new report from Network World argues that the technology is indeed too early in its development to be incorporated into a mainstream consumer device such as the iWatch.

Heisler points to C8 Mediasensors and its non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device, the HG1-c, as an example of how this technology is still in its infancy. It's a relevant example as Apple has hired several research scientists and engineers from the now defunct company and is presumably using their knowledge to explore bringing CGM to the iWatch.

The HG1-c device relied on Raman spectroscopy to indirectly measure a person's blood glucose level. This technique shines light through the skin in order to excite blood glucose molecules and cause them to vibrate. An optic sensor then analyzes the amount of light reflected off these vibrating molecules and returns a reading that is used to calculate an approximate glucose level.

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Though innovative, the technology has flaws that make it impractical for a wrist-worn device. The sensor unit was attached to a belt that was worn around the waist and required a large battery pack to operate. It also needed a gel to accurately measure light levels, which were influenced by ambient sunlight. This sunlight sensitivity was highlighted by former C8 employee Charles Martin, who spoke to Network World.

Yes, the camera sensor had to be shrouded in darkness to function. You have to understand that Raman Spectroscopy is looking for a very faint signal emitted by the glucose molecules. A rough analogy: try to pick out someone's voice in a noisy room. The sunlight was this kind of noise that the camera sensor was not calibrated against. They did try to implement algorithms to discount measurements against sunlight anomalies, but some of the anomaly criteria these algorithms were supposed to detect, overlapped. This made things hard to verify and test on the device.

Apple likely can overcome many of these limitations, but it will take time to transform the technology to the point where it is reliable enough to be used as a diagnostic or monitoring device. Once Apple improves the technology, it will need to receive FDA approval, which is a painstaking process with extensive clinical trials and documentation.

If Apple goes down this route, it could take up to 18 months just to receive approval necessary to sell the device. Given this lengthy approval process and the fact that evidence of Apple earnestly assembling its iWatch biometric research team only started surfacing around early 2013, Heisler believes "the notion that this feature will appear in the first iteration of the device is highly improbable."

Instead of measuring glucose levels, the iWatch may allow users to monitor glucose levels by importing them from a glucose monitoring device or by manually entering them into the accompanying Healthbook app for iOS. Apple is rumored to be working on the health and fitness app, which uses a card-based interface to track vital health statistics such as heart rate, weight and step count.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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Soundgarden Added to SXSW iTunes Festival Lineup

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Apple today announced that it has added Soundgarden to the concert lineup for its new iTunes Festival at SXSW in Austin, Texas next month [iTunes Store]. Soundgarden will headline the March 13 concert, with supporting acts yet to be announced.

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As noted by The Loop, Soundgarden will play its landmark Superunknown album in its entirety, celebrating 20 years since the album's release.

An expansion of the long-running iTunes Festival held in the UK each year, the SXSW concert series was announced by Apple last week, but at the time performers were announced for three only of the five dates. Other performers announced so far include Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, London Grammar, Pitbull, ZEDD, G.R.L, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, and Mickey Guyton.

Tickets to the shows are available to SXSW attendees free of charge on a lottery basis, and live and on-demand streams of the shows will be available through the iTunes Store on iOS devices and computers, the iTunes Festival app on iOS devices, and Apple TV.

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Apple Files Formal Appeal in E-Books Antitrust Case

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iBooks Apple filed a formal appeal on Tuesday asking the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the ruling of its e-books antitrust case or to be awarded a new trial on the matter, reports the Associated Press.

In its filing, Apple stated that U.S. District Judge Denise Cote's original decision to find the company guilty of conspiring to fix e-book prices was a "radical departure" compared to modern antitrust law, adding that the decision would harm consumers and negate competition if not overturned.

Apple's papers filed Tuesday refuted the antitrust finding, and said its entrance into the e-book market "kick-started competition in a highly concentrated market, delivering higher output, lower price levels, and accelerated innovation."

Apple also requested that the appeals court suspend the work of external antitrust compliance monitor Michael Bromwich until it makes a decision as to whether he was correctly appointed. Apple filed a formal complaint against Bromwich in November claiming that the monitor was overcharging them for his services, and requested that he be removed from his position in January.

While Apple managed to win a brief emergency reprieve from monitoring, the Appeals court ruled earlier this month that Bromwich could continue his work with new boundaries, as he is no longer able to demand access to any document or interview Apple executives with respect to any subject.

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FCC Launches 'FCC Speed Test' iPhone App to Measure Mobile Broadband Performance

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The FCC today launched a new ad-free FCC Speed Test app for iOS devices, designed to measure mobile broadband performance. The app is an expansion of the Measuring Broadband America program, which aims to measure both fixed and mobile broadband to “bring greater clarity and competition to the broadband service marketplace.”

Like other mobile speed testing apps, the FCC's app analyzes mobile broadband performance (both Wi-Fi and cellular) and displays a breakdown of download and upload speed, latency, and packet loss. It also keeps a historical record of mobile speeds for comparison of performance over time.

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The FCC is using data collected from the app to build an aggregated map of mobile broadband performance across the country, but it does not collect personally identifying information aside from carrier, country code, and GPS location.

Privacy is paramount. The FCC has taken significant measures to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of volunteers for this program. Using privacy measures developed and reviewed by a diverse team of privacy experts, any data that could potentially identify specific smartphones is analyzed and processed to ensure privacy protection.

The FCC previously launched an FCC Speed Test app for Android back in November and has published multiple reports on broadband performance as part of Measuring Broadband America.

FCC Speed Test can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

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Square Testing 'Pickup' App to Speed Up Ordering of Takeout

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Square is testing a new app called Square Pickup that allows users to order and pay for takeout food. The app is currently in beta testing with select San Francisco restaurants, according to Priceonomics.

Instead of calling a restaurant to place a pickup order, users can just make the purchase with the Square Pickup App. The app is loaded with the restaurant’s menu. Just choose what you want, pay with Square, and then pick up your food when it’s ready. The app is currently in beta testing for both iOS and Android.

Square Pickup
Square is not the only big company innovating with restaurants and in-app purchasing -- earlier this month, OpenTable began testing a feature that would have guests paying for restaurant checks in the OpenTable app.

Square is processing billions of dollars worth of credit card transactions annually and has an extensive point-of-sale system aimed at restaurants and other small businesses.

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MLB At Bat Updated for 2014 Baseball Season With Full iOS 7 Redesign

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In what has become a yearly tradition for late February, Major League Baseball today updated its MLB At Bat app for the 2014 baseball season. The app, perennially one of the most popular -- and highest grossing -- on the App Store, received a top-to-bottom redesign to match iOS 7 and to improve the user experience.

Photos and video are more prevalent in At Bat, running edge-to-edge and inline with other content. For example, video embedded in a news article displays within the article itself, with users able to tap a full-screen button if they wish. The redesign emphasizes MLB's aim to improve the fan experience and help technology augment the game and otherwise get out of the way.

Showing how the design team has embraced subtlety, text and selection highlights in the app change depending on which team a user selects as their "favorite". For example, a Red Sox fan will see red highlights throughout the app, while a Yankees fan would see navy blue. A MLB spokesperson told MacRumors that the app is the mobile focus point for millions of baseball fans and the design teams strive to make the app seem like home, no matter which team they're a fan of.

MLB At Bat

Long hailed as the standard bearer for introducing features that matter to fans, At Bat this year will report for live Spring Training games with a full app re-design for iOS 7 on iPhone and iPad, among other new enhancements. Fans again will have access to the core functionality At Bat has pioneered over its first five years, including: personalized team experiences to deliver a linear feed of content for a designated favorite team; searchable libraries of tens of thousands of video-on-demand highlight clips; and customizable original news reporting and fantasy baseball analysis from MLB.com club beat reporters and national columnists.

Like last year, there are two main subscription packages for the iPhone and iPad -- a $130/season MLB.tv Premium offering that includes live home-and-away television broadcasts for out-of-market games, as well as live home-and-away radio broadcasts. It also includes the ability to watch on any device regardless of how the viewer purchases the package -- users can buy MLB.tv Premium via a $130 in-app purchase can watch live games within the app, as well as on the Apple TV, Xbox, PlayStation or any number of other connected devices.

The cheaper At Bat 2014 product, available as a $20/season in-app purchase, offers home-and-away radio broadcasts with no blackout restrictions. Both the Premium and At Bat services are also available as month-to-month subscriptions, though the whole-season package is quite a bit cheaper than buying month-to-month.

MLB At Bat Live Game
MLB Advanced Media told MacRumors that the company is aware that customers would very much like to stream local games without blackout restrictions, but that the content deals to allow that are extremely complex and difficult to negotiate. It also is well into its iBeacon rollout and expects to have twenty ballparks outfitted with the devices by Opening Day. The At The Ballpark app will see an update before then to support the new iBeacons.

MLB At Bat is a free download from the App Store for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]

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'The Bureau: XCOM Declassified' for Mac Gains Three New DLC Packs

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Three new downloadable content packs are now available for the Mac version of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, including Hangar 6 R&D, CodeBreakers, and Light Plasma Pistol.

First released for Mac in November by Transgaming, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a third-person tactical shooter set in late 1962, at the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Players take control of special agent William Carter and his two squad members to defend humanity, with a focus on shooting and squad-based tactics. Each downloadable content pack includes new missions, weapons, and more.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified - Hangar 6 R&D
In the days leading up to the events of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, Agent Nico DaSilva volunteers for a series of secret psycho-medical experiments to identify and treat a terrifying new pathogen. Maximize your combat skills and push your team to its limits to protect them from terrifying hallucinations as the experiments turn dangerous.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified - CodeBreakers
A top secret government communications facility responsible for intercepting and decoding enemy transmissions has gone radio-silent. In a desperate attempt to turn the tides of the secret war, Special Agent Carter and his squad must investigate the incident, eliminate any threats, and make contact with personnel in order to bring the facility back online and crack the mysterious code.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified - Light Plasma Pistol
Early research into the Outsiders’ weapon technology has yielded promising results in the form of a prototype light plasma pistol. Not as bulky as its predecessor, this compact weapon fires condensed bolts of plasma and boasts a vastly improved rate-of-fire, giving players an early edge in the secret war for humanity’s survival.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified can be purchased from the Mac App Store for $19.99. DLC is available at an additional cost within the app. [Direct Link]

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Oral-B Shows Off iPhone-Compatible Smart Toothbrush at Mobile World Congress

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Proctor and Gamble first introduced its smartphone-connected Oral-B toothbrush earlier this month, but the company is on hand at the Mobile World Congress conference in Spain to give attendees a look at the upcoming device.

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The Oral-B SmartSeries 7000 connects to the Oral Blue iPhone app using Bluetooth 4.0, allowing the app to provide real-time guidance on brushing habits. It records brushing activity on a chart that can be shared with dental professionals to create personalized brushing routines and because the Bluetooth connectivity works both ways, the app can also be used to program the toothbrush.

Engadget went hands-on with the Oral-B SmartSeries 7000 to show off how the app interacts with the brush itself. While brushing, the iPhone app runs a timer in real-time to keep track of how long a user has brushed and it also includes a stream of news articles to keep users entertained while brushing.

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In case the sheer boredom of brushing your teeth for that long is too much to bear, you can also thumb through a stream of news articles or local weather reports (no, really) to help you hang in there. Turns out, just furiously mashing those bristles into your teeth isn’t great either, so the timer will blink red if you're pressing too hard.

In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the SmartSeries 7000 features oscillating-rotating-pulsating technology, six different cleaning modes (Daily Cleaning, Deep Clean, Whitening, Gum Care, Sensitive, and Tongue Cleaning), a pressure sensor to prevent users from brushing too hard, and several different travel accessories.

Oral B's Bluetooth 4.0 smart toothbrush technology will be available in several of its toothbrushes, beginning with the Oral B SmartSeries 7000, which is expected to launch later this year for $220.

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AT&T Adds Unlimited International Messaging to Mobile Share Plans

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attlogo.pngAT&T today announced plans to add unlimited international messaging to all of its Mobile Share and Mobile Share Value plans, allowing customers in the United States to send international messages as part of their existing plans, with no additional cost. Text, picture, and video messages are all included.

On Friday, February 28, all AT&T Mobile Share and Mobile Share Value plans will now include unlimited international messaging from the U.S. to the world. AT&T consumer and business Mobile Share customers can send unlimited text, picture and video messages. Current Mobile Share and Mobile Share Value customers will automatically benefit from this offer.

AT&T is also deploying a new World Connect Value international calling package, which offers one cent per minute calls from the United States to more than 35 countries including Canada, Mexico, and several other locations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The add-on, which is available to all AT&T wireless postpaid customers, costs $5 per month.

AT&T's new unlimited international messaging follows Verizon's recent introduction of new More Everything plans that also include unlimited international messaging.

Both the World Connect Value plan and the unlimited international messaging will be available beginning on Friday, February 28.

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Apple's iBeacon Gains 'Made For iPhone' Specification

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Apple has implemented a new iBeacon specification and has begun certifying Bluetooth LE devices that utilize its iBeacon API under its Made For iPhone (MFi) program, according to a new report from Beekn.

iBeacons are physical Bluetooth low-energy transmitters that use Apple’s iBeacon API to provide micro-location information to nearby apps and devices, with an accuracy range of a few feet. iBeacons are compatible with Apple’s iPhones and iPads, as well as other devices that use Bluetooth LE, and have thus far been used primarily by retailers and other venues to provide location-specific information.

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An Estimote Bluetooth LE Beacon

In order to use the iBeacon name, manufacturers now need to have their devices approved by Apple as part of the MFi program, similar to accessories and hardware for iOS devices. Using the term iBeacon requires manufacturers to meet specific criteria, which are only available after a non-disclosure agreement has been signed.

The new specification gives Apple more control over the iBeacon trademark, which has previously been used by several different manufacturers for various Bluetooth LE devices since iBeacons were introduced in June of 2013. It is no longer possible to use the iBeacon brand without consent from Apple.

As we've noted elsewhere, beacons that carry the iBeacon name are conforming to two things:

- They broadcast Bluetooth LE 'signals' in a way that conforms to the Apple standard for what those signals should contain
- They have use of the iBeacon trademark

Since being introduced last year, iBeacons have been used by multiple retailers and venues in order to enhance visitor experiences in retail outlets, sports arenas, and other locations. Apple has rolled out iBeacons to its own stores as well, providing location-based product information to customers.

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Apple Releases OS X 10.9.2 With Fix for Major SSL Vulnerability, FaceTime Audio

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Apple today released OS X 10.9.2, which includes a fix for a major SSL security flaw that first came to light on Friday, after the release of iOS 7.0.6.

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The bug, which was introduced in the form of a single line of errant code that allowed an attacker to bypass SSL/TLS verification routines, left OS X users vulnerable to a man-in-the-middle attack. Shared wired or wireless networks could allow an attacker to intercept communications on affected machines, acquiring sensitive information like login credentials and passwords, or injecting harmful malware.

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Test on gotofail.com after updating to OS X 10.9.2

While the SSL vulnerability was first introduced to iOS in 2012, it only affects Macs running OS X 10.9. Lion and Mountain Lion users are not affected.

OS X 10.9.2 was first seeded to developers in December and has seen seven beta iterations since that time. Along with an emergency fix for the SSL bug, OS X 10.9.2 also includes FaceTime Audio, new blocking controls for iMessage and FaceTime, call waiting support for FaceTime, Mail fixes for bugs with fetching messages, AutoFill improvements, and several other bug fixes and general improvements.

It is recommended that all users running OS X 10.9 Mavericks upgrade to OS X 10.9.2 as soon as possible to disable the vulnerability.

- OS X Mavericks Update v10.9.2 (859.70 MB)
- OS X Mavericks Update v10.9.2 (Combo) (859.70 MB)

Alongside OS X 10.9.2, Apple has also released security updates for OS X Mountain Lion and Lion:

- Security Update 2014–001 (Mountain Lion) (115.8 MB)

- Security Update 2014–001 (Lion) (123.40 MB)
- Security Update 2014–001 Server (Lion) (173.60 MB)

Related Forum: OS X Mavericks
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Apple Adds Streaming Television Channel 'TV4 Play' to Apple TV in Sweden

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Apple today added a new TV4 Play channel to the Apple TV in Sweden, giving Swedish customers access to the TV 4 Play service that includes live broadcasting, original programming, and full episodes of TV4 Group shows. While content is available for free, premium subscribers have access to additional shows and movies.

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With 'TV4 Play 'on Apple TV, full episodes of current TV4 Group shows are available to watch for up to 7 days after their original air date. 'TV4 Play Premium' subscribers in Sweden can access an extensive library of additional content with most current and previously aired episodes available for a longer time period.

Along with access to content, the channel offers a personalized list of favorite shows and a "resume play" option to allow a show to be paused and resumed at any time. While the number of HD shows are currently limited, TV4 Group expects to add additional HD shows in the coming months.

TV4 is a Swedish television network that broadcasts news, sports, sitcoms, films, documentaries, and more. TV4 Play is the video-on-demand service for the network and is also available via an iTunes app. [Direct Link]

In addition to the TV4 Play channel for Swedish users, there are several other country specific Apple TV channels, including Sky Sports in the U.K., Watchever in Germany, and CANALPLAY in France.

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Apple Asks EU to Limit Injunctions in Patent Infringement Cases

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euflag.pngApple, Samsung and 19 other technology companies sent a letter to the European Union asking for limits on injunctions in patent infringement cases, reports Bloomberg. These limits would be incorporated into the future European Unitary Patent system and Unified Patent Court.

The letter requests that judges in the new EU patent court be given guidance on when to issue an injunction in cases where the validity of a patent is questionable. The guidelines would make it harder for patent holding companies to block the import and sales of devices by filing infringement lawsuits.

"Without this guidance, the potential exists for a court to order an injunction prohibiting the importation and sale of goods even though the patent may ultimately be found invalid."

These rules would be incorporated into the proposed Unitary Patent system and Unified Patent Court, which establishes one patent system and a single jurisdiction court for all participating European Union member states.

A similar group of technology companies are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to collect legal fees when patent holding companies lose an infringement case. This change in the allocation of fees would cut down on the number of frivolous suits, argues the group.

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Grovemade Introduces Walnut and Maple iPhone Cases and Docks

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Portland, Oregon-based Grovemade today launched a pair of new domestically-sourced woods for its line of iPhone cases and docks. New Walnut and Maple options are available, going along with the Bamboo cases that the company has been making for years.

Grovemade also introduced a new iPhone dock with a three-pound steel base to hold the dock in place and allow one-handed removal and docking of phones. The base is available in black or steel, with Maple, Walnut or Bamboo wooden tops. The company also introduced a Walnut edition of its iPad Air and iPad mini cases.

"The addition of these new domestic woods and the debut of our new website underscores Grovemade's commitment to innovation, providing our customers with our signature craftsmanship and belief in superior quality," says Ken Tomita, Grovemade's co-founder. "These new case, dock, and cover options are just the beginning of the new product lines to be released in the coming months."

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The Grovemade Walnut and Maple iPhone 5/5s cases are available from the company's website for $99, with the Maple and Walnut iPhone docks also priced at $99. The new Walnut iPad Air and Mini cases are $129 and $109 respectively.

Buyers can use the discount code Walnut+Maple2014 to get 20% off the new collection at Grovemade's online store.

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Apple Sapphire Deal with GT to Hit Full Production Beginning in 2H 2014

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GT Advanced Technologies, Apple's partner in a new sapphire plant in Arizona, today announced earnings for the fourth quarter of 2013 while also providing a forward look at what will be a "transformational" year for the company. The company's comments help put into perspective just how large the deal with Apple is, with significant ramping heading into the second half of this year and into 2015.

"Our arrangement to supply sapphire materials to Apple is progressing well and we started to build out the facility in Arizona and staff the operation during the quarter," said Gutierrez. "We are pleased to have Apple as a sapphire customer and to be in a position to leverage our proprietary know-how to enable the supply of this versatile material. While our primary focus during the balance of the year is to continue to execute on our commitments in Arizona, our aim is to position GT not only as an exceptional sapphire supplier to Apple but also as an unparalleled world-class supplier of sapphire material and equipment to a variety of customers.

As part of the deal with Apple, GT halted sales of its sapphire production furnaces in order to focus on building out capacity for Apple, a move that resulted in a drastic reduction in GT's revenue for the latter half of 2013 and saw the company's full-year revenue drop to $299 million in 2013 from $733.5 million in 2012.

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GT projects that company revenue will remain low during the first half of 2014 as it continues to ramp up production for Apple, with revenue of just $20-30 million for the first quarter. But the company forecasts a massive increase in revenue for the latter half of the year, which should represent 85% of the company's full-year revenue of $600-800 million. That timing would appear to be in line with an Apple product launch such as an iPhone 6 with sapphire-covered display in the usual September-October timeframe.

The company expects that 2014 will be a transformational year, one in which it builds a sapphire materials business while continuing to invest in the new technologies that will drive its equipment business in 2015 and beyond.

The company expects that revenue and profitability will be back end loaded, with its sapphire materials business ramping as the year progresses, and with improving financial performance during the second half of 2014.

On an annualized basis, during 2014, the company expects revenues to range from $600 million to $800 million, with approximately 15% of total revenues occurring in the first half of the year. The company expects that its sapphire segment will account for more than 80% of total revenue in 2014. The sapphire segment includes the company's equipment and materials businesses in the LED, industrial and consumer electronics markets.

With sapphire estimated to account for 80% of GT's revenue for the year and Apple undoubtedly representing the lion's share of that segment, the deal with Apple could be generating in the range of $400-500 million for GT this year. Looking further ahead, GT sees even more growth with estimates of over $1 billion in total revenue for 2015.

Apple has been looking to rush its new sapphire plant into production this month to "create a critical new sub-component of Apple Products". Given the number of sapphire furnaces delivered to the facility and on order, the partnership between Apple and GT could be sufficient to produce 100-200 million sapphire-covered iPhone displays per year.

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'SunSprite' Solar-Powered Bluetooth Device Measures Optimal Sun Exposure

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With Apple hiring numerous medical professionals for its rumored iWatch project, and many new fitness and other types of health-related devices coming to market, wearable health-data tracking devices are proving extremely popular.

Sunspriteapp
A new device launching today on IndieGogo is SunSprite, a wearable device that measures the amount of visible and UV light that the wearer is exposed to in order to help users avoid health issues related to a lack of exposure to sunlight, such as seasonal affective disorder or winter depression.

The solar-powered SunSprite tracks the amount of visible and UV light the wearer is exposed to. Because of its built-in solar sensors, it never needs recharging, using ambient light to gather electricity to power its Bluetooth LE connection to the iPhone. The company is planning to manufacturer the SunSprite at a factory in the United States, as well.

The company behind the SunSprite says that proper exposure to sunlight improves energy, sleep, mood, focus, stress, and more, with Harvard Medical School professors on staff to back up the science [PDF].

Getting bright light at the right time of day is clinically proven to boost your energy and help you sleep better. See Bright Light & the Human Brain below for more information on the science behind SunSprite and bright light.

SunSprite's dual sensors measure the brightness of both visible and UV light so you can make sure you’re getting the right amount of light — enough visible light to be healthy while avoiding too many harmful UV rays. SunSprite's LED display (as well as its smartphone app) can tell you if the light you're in is bright enough to be beneficial.

The SunSprite is available for preorder through IndieGoGo for $99, a 33 percent discount off its estimated $149 final retail price. The company estimates it will to ship to backers in June of this year.

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Disney Launches 'Disney Movies Anywhere' App With iTunes Integration

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Walt Disney Studios launched Disney Movies Anywhere, a new online service and companion iOS app that allows you to buy Disney, Pixar, and Marvel movies and watch them across multiple devices. The service has a catalog of over 420 films, with individual movies costing $19.99 each.

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Powered by Disney's Keychest video-on-demand service, the Disney Movies Anywhere app lets customers browse or search through Disney's vast mobile library and then purchase titles for playback from within the app. The app streams the movie to an iOS device, with an option to download content for offline viewing.

Disney Movies Anywhere will be popular among families, and Disney has added parental controls to the app. Parents using the app on multiple devices can restrict viewing on a per device basis, allowing a parent to access the full catalog on their personal iPad and only G-rated movies on a child's iPod touch.

Apple users can link their iTunes account to the Disney Movies Anywhere app and sync eligible films with their iTunes library. In a launch promotion, Disney is offering Pixar’s The Incredibles for free to customers who enable this iTunes integration.

Disney Movies Anywhere is available for free from the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

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