Google's new subscription music service 'Google Play Music All Access', which launched earlier this month, will be landing on iOS in the next few weeks according to Google's Sundar Pichai.
According to Engadget, Pichai, speaking with Walt Mossberg today at D11, said the service was to be "universally accessible" and that "when there's a mass of users, we invest in more platforms."
He did not give any more details regarding availability. For users who start a free trial by June 30th, the service costs $7.99/month and will cost $9.99/month for users signing up after that. The service is designed to compete with Spotify, providing songs on demand that can be streamed to a computer or mobile device.
Alongside today's introduction of a new stripped-down 16 GB iPod touch, Apple has also reduced pricing for educational customers on its 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro. The prices have been cut by $100 for both the low-end and high-end stock configurations, bringing pricing down to $999 and $1299 respectively. The new prices on both models are $200 below Apple's standard retail pricing.
Education pricing on the non-Retina 15-inch model remains unchanged at $1699, while the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro continues to start at $1399 for education customers. The discounted education pricing is available to employees of K-12 schools as well as faculty, staff, students, and parents of students at higher education institutions.
Following today's launch of a new stripped-down 16 GB fifth-generation iPod touch, The Loop reports Apple has disclosed that the company has reached a milestone for the device with over 100 million units sold since its launch in 2007.
In addition to launching a new model of its iPod touch on Thursday, Apple told me this morning that it has sold more than 100 million units of the iPod touch since its introduction.
The iPod touch was launched in 2007 and took the design of the iPhone, minus the calling ability. It has since become one of Apple’s most popular products.
Historically, Apple has not disclosed the number of iPod touch units it sells each quarter, generally announcing only that the device accounts for more than half of the company's total iPod sales. The company revealed in documents filed in its lawsuit against Samsung last year that it had sold 46.5 million iPod touch units in the United States alone, but firm numbers have otherwise been difficult to come by.
Earlier this week, the San Francisco Chronicleaddressed some criticisms of Apple's proposed flagship store for the city's Union Square retail district, a store that would replace the current flagship a few blocks to the south. While the announcement of Apple's plans several weeks ago had been accompanied by glowing remarks from city politicians, critics have pointed to a long blank wall along Stockton Street and the removal of a popular fountain behind the store as significant issues for the plans.
The Chronicle now follows up on the situation, quoting San Francisco mayor Ed Lee as saying that he hadn't realized Apple's plans called for removal of the fountain and reporting that he would be taking another look to see if it could be kept.
"We weren't necessarily focused on that side," Lee said, referring to a plaza along Stockton Street where the fountain stands. "It wasn't part of our discussion." [...]
"I need to take a look and visualize" how the fountain would or would not complement Apple's proposal for a raised narrow plaza between its store and the Grand Hyatt. The hotel tower was built in tandem with the plaza and the retail building in the early 1970s. "We have to see whether it might fit in."
Lee also addressed the issue of the 80 foot-long blank wall along Stockton Street, noting that city officials had raised objections to it during initial discussions and that Apple had been "very receptive" to those concerns. The city places distinct emphasis on activating the street-level experience in the pedestrian-oriented Union Square shopping district, and Apple's plans would create a significant gap in that experience.
The project still needs to proceed through reviews by the city's planning and historic preservation commissions, and it could see tweaks as a result of discussions with those groups. Apple has not commented further on the project, and the Grand Hyatt hotel that owns the property and fountain simply notes that "it's too premature" to address whether there may be changes to the proposal.
Apple today made a quiet update to its iPod touch lineup, launching a new 16 GB fifth-generation model without a rear camera for $229. The new iPod touch, which is only available with a black front and silver back, replaces the fourth-generation iPod touch that Apple had continued to offer since the introduction of new models late last year. The new model is available now in Apple's online store and should be available in the company's retail stores starting tomorrow.
Apple introduced the redesigned fifth-generation iPod touch last September with the same 4-inch display seen on the iPhone 5 and a number of other enhancements. But with the new hardware pushing the entry-level price to $299 for a 32 GB model, Apple decided to continue offering the fourth-generation models at cheaper $199 (16 GB) and $249 (32 GB) price points.
Now, with production on the fifth-generation models having been underway for roughly eight months, Apple has found a way to shave costs through both natural component cost declines and the removal of several features to be able to offer a stripped-down fifth-generation model at pricing close to that previously offered for the fourth-generation models. Beyond the loss of a rear camera, the new entry-level iPod touch also omits Apple's "Loop" wrist strap introduced on the fifth-generation models last year.
Earlier this year, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had predicted that Apple would discontinue the fourth-generation iPod touch in favor of a stripped-down fifth-generation model without a rear camera. Kuo had believed that Apple would introduce an 8 GB version of that device for $199, but Apple apparently decided that 16 GB of storage should be the minimum for the iPod touch lineup.
Apple today announced that it will once again hold its monthlong iTunes Festival in London this year, with 30 nights of concerts at The Roundhouse during the month of September. The full schedule of performances is yet to be announced, but Apple has revealed that the lineup will include Justin Timberlake, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jack Johnson and Jessie J.
“This year’s iTunes Festival is the best ever with an incredible lineup of global superstars and stellar emerging artists,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Music fans around the world are going to love watching this incredible month of music, whether in London at the Roundhouse or on their iOS device. We’re honored so many renowned artists are part of this year’s lineup.”
Free tickets for the concerts are available through iTunes in a lottery system, with media partners in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, Japan and Mexico also giving away tickets as part of promotional competitions. The concerts will also be broadcast via iOS app, iTunes on the computer, and Apple TV.
Apple also typically releases a series of live EPs from each year's shows through the iTunes Store.
Apple traditionally sponsored the iTunes Festival each July since its inception in 2007, but last year moved the festival to September and has opted to keep to that schedule for 2013. More details on the concert lineup and schedule will be released over the coming weeks and months.
The August Smart Lock is a new iPhone-compatible locking system that has been designed by Jason Johnson and Yves Béhar, who serves as Jawbone's Chief Creative Officer. Béhar, who has worked on products like the Jambox and the UP, has created a simple universal lock that is designed to connect to a smartphone using Bluetooth.
The lock itself is crafted of anodized aluminum and looks similar to a standard home lock. It comes with a number of faceplates and deadbolt adapters to fit the majority of the locks on the market, and it functions on four AA batteries. When battery life is low, the system will send out a notification.
Much like competing products Lockitron and Kevo, the August Smart Lock will be available without subscription fees. It will also function with an accompanying app, which can be programmed to allow entry to friends and family. The system monitors guests that enter and it can be customized with specific timers. TechCrunch has some additional information:
In addition to the ability to turn on and off access to the home through an app, users will be able to send invitations to friends or family that have been connected on Facebook or in their mobile contact list. Johnson gave the example of a dinner party, where visitors could be invited and let themselves in without having to ring the doorbell.
The August smart lock is powered by Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology, which will enable it to work without connecting to a WiFi network. The team claims that it's the smallest electronic door lock on the market, and they say that it only takes 10 minutes to install.
There are no specific details on when the August Smart Lock will launch, but the reservation website says that it will go on sale later in the year with an expected ship date of November or December. The lock will cost $199, with no additional fees.
Apple has hired at least a dozen former AMD graphics engineers for its Orlando offices in recent months, according to a MacRumors review of employees' LinkedIn profiles.
AMD laid off a number of employees last year in a corporate reorganization, and fired more in January. It seems likely that Apple hired a number of the laid off Orlando AMD engineers for a new team it's building in the region.
The company has also posted new job listings for Site Managers to head GPU teams in both Orlando and Cupertino.
These hires and new listings are in addition to job listings posted last month for chip engineers for its Orlando Design Center.
Site Manager
Job Number: 27994768 - Orlando, Florida, United States
Job Summary
Manager will be responsible for leading the Orlando GPU team to deliver high quality IP to specification and on schedule.
Key Qualifications
- 10+ years proven experience leading high performance GFX (or equivalent complexity) IP development teams - 5+ years proven experience building/hiring medium/large (30+) complex ASIC IP development teams - Excellent personnel management, mentoring, team building and hiring abilities - Proven ability to manage parallel project efforts including effective resource/schedule planning & tracking - Excellent written/verbal communication and project management skills - Experience with GFX Architecture/Design, GFX APIs and overall GFX development is a significant plus - Ability to work well in a cross-site team and be productive under aggressive schedules
The new job listings ask for extensive experience in building and leading teams, including hiring, mentoring, and more. They also focus on intellectual property development as well. The listings in both Cupertino and Orlando are identical.
Apple's interest in GPUs (Graphics Processing Unit) and CPUs coincides with an effort to develop more of its technology in house. Apple is a licensee for ARM and Imagination Technology, which power the company's iPhones and iPads.
Apple is continuing to seek improved supply-chain risk management by shifting more of its manufacturing needs from its longtime partner Foxconn to Pegatron, notes The Wall Street Journal in a new report that suggests Pegatron will be responsible for the assembly of Apple's low cost iPhone.
Pegatron Corp., named after the flying horse Pegasus, will be the primary assembler of a low-cost iPhone expected to be offered later this year. Foxconn's smaller rival across town became a minor producer of iPhones in 2011 and began making iPad Mini tablet computers last year.
Pegatron's rise means an end to the monopoly that Foxconn Technology Group—the trade name for Hon Hai Precision Industry, the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer—has held over the production of Apple's mobile products.
According to the report, the change is meant to help Apple expand its product lines and prevent supply chain disasters that could hold up the production of Apple's devices. At launch, the iPhone 5 was criticized for its tendency to scratch and scuff, which eventually led to increased quality control standards to reduce out-of-the-box issues.
Foxconn executives admitted last year that the iPhone 5 was difficult to assemble, and an April rumor suggested that Apple returned 5–8 million defective iPhone 5s to the company after continued issues with quality control.
Foxconn, in its growing heft as the world's largest electronics contract company, was also getting more difficult for Apple to control, with incidents such as changing component sourcing without notifying Apple, people familiar with the matter said. At the same time, Foxconn became frustrated with the growing complexity of Apple products, such as the iPhone 5, which is difficult to make in the volumes Apple needed.
In addition to cutting down on the risk of production issues, Pegatron is also said to have accepted less profit in order to secure orders from Apple. Tim Cook, too, is said to be responsible for the change, as he is more interested in diversification than maintaining a strong relationship with Foxconn chairman Terry Gou.
Despite being a smaller manufacturing partner, Pegatron has a long history with Apple. The company was responsible for packaging Apple's first generation iBooks, and as noted above, began assembling a small number iPhones for Apple in 2011. Currently, Pegatron produces the lion's share of Apple's iPad minis.
Apple's low cost iPhone could bring in huge profits for the smaller supply partner, as it is said to be aimed at untapped emerging markets. Earlier this month, Pegatron announced that it would boost its workforce by 40%, fueling initial rumors that the company would produce the cheaper iPhone.
The low cost iPhone is expected to come with an unsubsidized price tag between $350-$400. Release dates for the device have been murky, with sources targeting both a late 2013 release and a 2014 release.
Twitter has updated its official iOS app, adding a streamlined posting process that previews tweets before they are published, as well as a wider timeline that makes better use of the iPhone's screen real estate.
On the official Twitter blog, the company boasts that photos can be tweeted in the new app in under six seconds.
Photos: When you add a photo to your Tweet, you’ll see a full preview of your photo, not just the cropped version. We’ve also redesigned the experience to make it easy to share a photo from your camera roll: simply click the photo icon on the bottom right corner of the Tweet box. With fewer steps needed to share photos, you can more easily share what’s going on in your life and quickly return to marveling over that gorgeous sunset.
Accounts: When you compose a Tweet, you’ll see your avatar and username, giving you a better sense of how your Tweet will actually appear. If you tweet from multiple accounts, it’s now easier to select the account you want to use by simply tapping on your avatar.
Unsurprisingly, mobile adoption continues to grow. Both Apple and Samsung have experienced enormous smartphone market share unit growth over the past two years, with Apple going from 16% share in Q1 2010 to 22% share in Q4 2012 and Samsung growing from 4% to 29% during the same time period.
Tablet growth has exploded as well, outpacing even smartphone growth. When comparing the first 12 quarters after launch, iPad shipments ramped up three times more quickly than iPhone shipments.
In fact, tablet shipments surpassed both desktop PC and notebook shipments in the fourth quarter of 2012, less than three years after tablets surged in popularity. A similar report from IDC earlier this week confirms the rapid tablet growth, estimating that yearly tablet shipments will surpass notebook shipments by 2013 and the total PC market in 2015.
Other highlights from the report include overall smartphone growth, which is up 28% year over year in the United States and 31% in China, and mobile internet traffic, which now accounts for 15% of total global internet traffic.
Apple today updated its iTunes Movie Trailers app to version 1.2.3, adding an option that allows mobile users to switch between HD and SD quality when watching a trailer on the iPhone or iPod touch with Retina display or on the iPad.
The update adds improvements to video playback, decreasing the time that it takes for a trailer to begin playing. The new version of the app also allows for movie tickets to be purchased through the Fandango app.
- You can now choose HD or SD quality while viewing a trailer on iPhone and iPod touch with Retina display and iPad - Video playback has been improved—it now takes less time for a trailer to start playing - Movie tickets can be purchased using the Fandango app - Additional improvements to performance and stability
It's not clear if Dalrymple, who is known to have excellent contacts at Apple, is passing on something in particular from the company or it's just a summary of what he expects ahead of WWDC.
Dalrymple writes that he doesn't expect a new iPhone or iPad model, largely because the devices are flagship products and would have their own, separate media events. Instead, he believes that the Mac wouldn't warrant its own event -- but an announcement of Mac updates would fit well at WWDC.
The Mac is still an important part of what Apple does, but I don’t know that Apple would hold a special event specifically for a Mac product anymore. If they did, it would have to be quite a spectacular product.
For me, the Mac products fit well with a Tim Cook keynote at WWDC. That’s all I really expect from Apple in the way of hardware at the conference.
Finally, Dalrymple expects Apple to show off new versions of both the Mac and iOS operating systems, which Tim Cook confirmed last night at D11. A number of previous reports have claimed that much of the iOS user interface would receive a Jony Ive-led revamping, with a "flatter" design and fewer skeuomorphic elements.
Last month, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple's notebook line would receive updates at WWDC, with non-Retina models shipping soon after WWDC and Retina machines shipping later due to production bottlenecks on the displays.
Google today announced a brand new inbox on desktop and mobile that offers improved filtering in the form of a tabbed layout, which supports up to five different organizational tabs.
We get a lot of different types of email: messages from friends, social notifications, deals and offers, confirmations and receipts, and more. All of these emails can compete for our attention and make it harder to focus on the things we need to get done. Sometimes it feels like our inboxes are controlling us, rather than the other way around.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, Gmail is getting a brand new inbox on desktop and mobile that puts you back in control using simple, easy organization.
The new design, which lets users organize bulk mail into specific categories, will be used both on the web and in Google’s mobile apps. Categories include Main, Social, Offers, Notifications, and Forums, and users can customize the inbox by selecting which tabs to use.
Messages can be dragged and dropped between tabs and Google allows users to set email from a particular sender to always appear in a specified tab. Tabs will need to be configured via the desktop, but will be displayed on mobile via a tray that slides out from the left side of the Gmail app.
The redesign will be deployed to both mobile and desktop users on a rolling basis over the next few weeks, and enabling the tabs will require Gmail users to implement the new inbox feature by selecting “Configure Inbox” when the option appears in the Settings menu.
Gmail for iOS is a free app that can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Amazon has introduced a new 'Login With Amazon' API for web, Android and iOS apps, competing with other OAuth services from Google, Facebook, Twitter and others.
The Login With Amazon platform allows iOS developers to integrate Amazon login to their apps, though developers on other platforms can use other Amazon services to facilitate in-app purchasing over Amazon's platform.
Today, Amazon launched Login with Amazon, a new service that will enable the over 200 million active Amazon customers to securely and simply login to apps, games, and websites. Login with Amazon allows developers to easily reduce sign-in friction for their customers, leading to higher engagement and order conversion.
[…]
Login with Amazon is available at no charge to developers of apps, games, and websites. The service is easy to integrate, as developers can typically go from registration to launch in a matter of hours. It is based on the OAuth 2.0 authorization framework, allowing developers to leverage a widely-adopted open protocol. For additional details about Login with Amazon, including code samples and the SDKs for Android and iOS, please visit login.amazon.com.
Realmac Software, part of the team behind the intuitive gesture-based to-do app Clear, today released Analog Camera -- an iOS version of 'Analog', a slick filter and border app for the Mac.
Like Clear, Analog Camera uses a gesture-based interface to navigate through a variety of filters and camera modes. Users can manually select combined exposure and focus by using a single tap on the camera, and can even select exposure and focus separately by using a two-finger tap.
The app takes only square shots, much like Instagram, and it supports saving images to the camera roll, email, Twitter, Facebook and Sina Weibo, as well as Instagram, Path and other photography apps.
Analog Camera is all about enabling you to do the most important things with your photos, as quickly as possible. Guided by the principles that we developed whilst building the revolutionary to-do list app Clear, Analog Camera features incredible filters and is unbelievably fun and easy to use. Analog Camera has been built with a strict focus on offering a fast, fun and simple experience that allows you to focus on creating beautiful photos.
Hours after Apple CEO Tim Cook's talk with AllThingsD's Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, AllThingsD has posted the full video of the interview online. The 81-minute video contains the full interview in addition to the Q&A session that followed. MacRumors provided live updates of the event. Last year it took several weeks for the full video to find its way online.
Steve Jobs was a regular participant of the D conference, having been interviewed on the stage and even appearing alongside Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Cook has carried on that tradition by serving as the opening session interview for the past two years.
At this year's annual All Things Digital conference hosted by AllThingsD, Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher interviewed Apple CEO Tim Cook, where he revealed that Apple is planning to open up additional APIs in the future, giving third party developers more control over iOS.
According to Cook, while Apple will open up more APIs, it will continue to protect customers from the "risk of bad experiences."
Always a fine line, or maybe not so fine. The customer pays us to make choices on their behalf. But you'll see us open up more.
When Facebook released its Home software for Android phones in April, Facebook director of product Adam Mosseri mentioned that the company was in ongoing talks with Apple about bringing Home (and its Chat Heads functionality) to iOS.
According to Cook, while Chat Heads were not the ideal choice, Apple will allow third party apps to take over some iOS features in the future, allowing developers to build better and more versatile experiences.
During the question and answer session, Cook also mentioned that Apple had no issue with porting Apple apps to Android or other platforms should the need arise in the future, though such functionality doesn't make sense at the current point in time. Full coverage of Tim Cook's comments can be found here.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Apple has hired at least a dozen former AMD graphics engineers for its Orlando offices in recent months, according to a MacRumors review of employees' LinkedIn profiles.
Apple is continuing to seek improved supply-chain risk management by shifting more of its manufacturing needs from its longtime partner Foxconn to Pegatron, notes 
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