MacRumors iPhone and iPad Blog: Apps, News, and Rumors

Google today updated its Google Maps app with a new ride service tab, Spotlight Search integration and the ability to save route options. While Uber has been integrated into Google Maps for the past two years, the new ride service tab allows users to more easily access pickup times and prices. In international destinations, Google has integrated several other ride hailing companies. If you...

Although more prominent features like Night Shift and a few new Quick Actions are getting the spotlight with the launch of iOS 9.3, one new lesser-known update is definitely worth checking out. In iOS 9.3, Apple has improved the functionality of its first-party Notes app with the ability to add password or Touch ID security for individual notes. The feature allows users to prevent access to...

Apple Music has partnered with cultural news network Vice to bring a new docu-series, "The Score," to the streaming music platform (via The Hollywood Reporter). The series will be six episodes, with each installment focusing on a unique, local music scene around the world. The first episode, titled "Reservation Rap," [Direct Link] is split into two parts and focuses on an emerging Native...

After spending a portion of its "Let Us Loop You In" media event on the topic of environmental protection, Apple today decided to reward fans who use its Renew program (and those who don't) with a set of exclusive iOS wallpapers. As discovered by 9to5Mac, the company is giving out a URL on physical cards in retail stores when users trade in old devices for something new, but anyone can visit...

Apple has extended the 'Nearby' feature in its iOS Maps app to serve users in Japan, bringing access to local points of interest such as bars, restaurants, health services and shopping centers. AppleInsider reports that 'Nearby' is now active across the country, despite Apple having not yet updated its Maps feature availability web page to reflect the change. Apple reportedly introduced...

Google is working on a third-party keyboard designed for iOS devices that would incorporate search functionality, reports The Verge. Citing people familiar with Google's plans, The Verge says the keyboard, which has been in development for several months, "incorporates a variety of search options" to attract more Google search users on iOS devices. The keyboard is said to feature gesture-based ...

Apple announced yesterday that the iPhone SE will be available to order on March 24, with shipments and in-store sales beginning on March 31, in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Apple's website indicates that the second round of orders will begin on March 29, with those shipments...

One of the more significant behind-the-scenes changes that took place following Apple's media event yesterday was an overhaul of the collections the Apple Watch is offered in. With the introduction of new colors to pre-existing bands like the Modern Buckle, Classic Buckle, and Sport Band, along with an entirely new offering in the Woven Nylon band, the configurations offered to customers who...

Google's YouTube app for iOS devices was today updated to version 11.10, adding support for Slide Over and Split View on compatible iPads. With Slide Over and Split View, the app can run alongside another app or with the Slide Over panel open, allowing people to multitask while watching YouTube videos. The third split screen feature available on Apple's iPads, Picture in Picture, has not been...

Apple is reportedly in "advanced talks" to acquire British microchip designer Imagination Technologies, according to The Verge this morning. The information is said to come from "a source with knowledge of the discussions". When asked for comment, Imagination Technologies refused to deny the planned takeover. The report follows the UK firm's announcement just last week that it was making...

Apple announced the iPhone SE yesterday for $399 in the United States, which is the most affordable price point it has ever introduced an iPhone at. But in many other launch countries around the world, the new 4-inch smartphone carries a premium beyond foreign currency exchange rates and sales taxes. In Australia, the iPhone SE starts at roughly $679 AUD for the 16GB model, despite $399 USD...

At its media event on Monday, Apple kicked off by discussing its efforts to reduce waste and improve its renewable energy infrastructure, marking a heightened focus on the company's environmental responsibilities. As part of the presentation, the company also unveiled a robotic system it has developed that can disassemble old iPhones and recover recyclable materials. The robot, called...

As of today, Apple has started offering replacement tips for the Apple Pencil in its online store. A set of four Apple Pencil tips can be purchased for $19, with deliveries estimated to take place on Wednesday, March 23 at the earliest. The $99 Apple Pencil ships with an extra tip in the box, but until today, there was no way to purchase additional tips from Apple. When the iPad Pro and Apple...

Ahead of the launch of the iPhone SE, there were questions about just how closely it would resemble the iPhone 5s, but as it turns out, the two devices are almost identical physically aside from the matte chamfered edges on the iPhone SE. Rumors suggesting the two devices would be close enough in design to share cases were correct -- existing iPhone cases designed to fit an iPhone 5 or 5s will ...

Apple has introduced a Lightning to USB-C Cable to its online accessory store that lets users connect their iPhone, iPad, or iPod with Lightning connector to a computer’s USB-C port for syncing and charging. Significantly, the cable can be used with an Apple 29W USB-C Power Adapter to take advantage of the fast charging feature on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but not the brand new 9.7-inch iPad...

Apple today released new software for the Apple Watch, upgrading watchOS 2 from version 2.1 to version 2.2. WatchOS 2.2, which has been in testing since January 11, comes more than three months after the release of watchOS 2.1 and brings a couple of important new features alongside bug fixes and performance improvements. The 2.2 update can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app...

Apple today released tvOS 9.2 to the public, marking the second major update to the tvOS operating system since the fourth-generation Apple TV was released in October. tvOS 9.2 has been in beta since January 11 and brings a slew of new features that were introduced throughout the testing period. tvOS 9.2 can be downloaded over-the-air through the Settings app on the Apple TV 4 by opening the...

At its media event in Cupertino today, Apple announced that iOS 9.3 will begin to rollout as a free update to users worldwide today. As previously announced thanks to betas of the software, the update will bring new features to iOS, mainly centering around Night Shift. Updates to older apps like Apple News will see some small UI shifts to highlight breaking news stories, and the company...